Columbia  ©nitoers^ttp 

intI)eCftpof3^m|ork 

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Bequest  of 

Frederic  Bancroft 

1860-1945 


MEMOIRS 


OF  THE 


LIFE  or  DAYID  FERRia 


AN 


3jiprDBBi  Jllinishr  uf  \\)t  mit^  nf  frmh. 


LATE  OF  WILMINGTON  IN  THE  STATE  OF  DELAWARE. 


.WPJ[TTEN  ,BX  .HIMSF^LF. 


REVISHD   AND  CORRECTED  ■FRC.:.jyr'.IL'.<iR^G\NAL   COPV    IN   MANUSCRIPT. 


PHILADELPHIA: 

MEaRiiiEw    &    Thompson's    Steam    Power    Press, 

Merchant  Street  above  Fourth. 

1855. 


INTRODUCTION. 

David  Ferris,  the  subject  of  the  folloT\'Ing  Me- 
moir, was  the  son  of  Zachariah  and  Sarah  Ferris, 
late  of  New  Milford,  in  the  State  of  Connecticut. 
His  grandfather,  Samuel  Ferris,  came  from  Read- 
ing, in  England,  and  was  one  of  the  early  settlers 
of  the  Massachusetts  Colony.  David's  parents  had 
a  family  of  eight  children,  of  which  he  was  the  third. 

When  a  large  family  of  children  are  remarkable 
for  the  propriety  of  their  conduct,  or  become  greatly 
useful  in  society,  it  is  almost  always  found,  on  a 
close  inquiry,  that  their  mother  has  been  eminently 
qualified,  by  her  piety  and  other  virtues,  for  the 
important  concern  of  education.  That  such  was 
the  character  of  David  Ferris's  mother,  is  evident, 
as  well  from  tradition  as  by  authentic  documents 
yet  extant  in  the  family.  In  a  short  account  of  his 
parentage,  written  many  years  after  her  death,  by 
her  son  Benjamin,  he  says,  "  My  mother  lived  seve- 
ral years  after  my  father's   decease.     She  was  of 


4  INTRODUCTION. 

the  Puritan  sort  of  people — a  Tvoman  of  great  un- 
derstanding, and  well  versed  and  read  in  the  Scrip- 
tures and  other  good  books ; — of  extensive  know- 
ledge, and  having  a  memory  to  exceed  most  per- 
sons that  ever  I  knew.  She  was  of  a  pious  and 
religious  disposition,  being  like  Mary  of  old,  who, 
as  our  Lord  said,  had  chosen  that  good  part  that 
should  not  be  taken  away  from  her.  Her  exem- 
plary conduct  and  behaviour  made  a  deep  impres- 
sion on  my  mind  when  very  young,  even  when  not 
more  than  nine  or  ten  years  old."  This  character 
of  his  mother  is  amply  confirmed  by  her  son  David 
in  the  following  work,  where  in  several  places  he 
refers  to  her  concern  for  his  welfare,  whilst  strug- 
gling through  the  temptations  and  difficulties  of  his 
early  life. 

The  following  brief  memoir  has  many  touching 
references  to  her  maternal  care.  In  one  place  the 
author  says,  "My mother  being  a  religious  woman, 
and  much  concerned  for  the  good  of  her  offspring, 
both  temporally  and  spiritually,  was  frequent  in 
giving  us  good  advice  and  admonition,  that  we  might 
shun  the  paths  of  error ;  and  teaching  us,  by  her 
own  example  as  well  as  by  precept,  to  walk  in  the 
ways  of  virtue,  which  lead  to  peace.     This  was  a 


INTRODUCTION.  5 

great  help  to  us  while  young,  and  was  not  easily 
forgotten  when  we  came  to  maturity." 

Her  son  Benjamin,  in  the  short  account  before 
mentioned,  says,  "  She  was  of  the  Puritan  sort  of 
people."  It  has  become  customary  in  modern  times 
to  think  and  speak  disrespectfully  of  the  Puritans, 
as  a  severe,  morose,  repulsive  sect.  This  has  arisen 
partly,  perhaps,  from  the  character  of  the  New 
England  hierarchy  in  the  seventeenth  century, 
which,  in  connection  with  the  civil  Government, 
passed  and  executed  many  severe  laws  against  the 
innocent  dissenters  from  their  creed.  But  the  early 
settlers  of  Massachusetts  were  by  no  means  true 
representatives  of  the  old  or  primitive  Puritans. 
The  latter,  as  early  as  the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth, 
separated  from  the  established  Church,  on  pure 
conscientious  grounds,  the  same,  in  many  particu- 
lars, that  induced  George  Fox  and  his  religious  as- 
sociates to  withdraw  from  its  communion.  They 
were  a  sincere,  upright,  spiritually-minded  people  ; 
in  their  ministry  and  worship  approaching  much 
nearer  to  the  standard  of  Truth,  as  afterwards  raised 
by  Friends,  than  any  other  society  existing  in  the 
fore  part  of  the  seventeenth  century.  A  very  large 
portion  of  George  Fox's  fellow  laborers  had  sat 
under  the  Puritan  ministry ;  and  there  can  be  no 
1* 


6  INTRODUCTION. 

doubt  that,  under  that  ministry,  their  minds  were 
prepared  for  the  further  unfolding  of  Divine  truth, 
which  was  afterwards  effected  through  his  instru- 
mentality.* The  Puritans  of  the  sixteenth  and 
seventeenth  centuries,  through  faithfulness  (in  many 
instances  iinto  death's  were  a  means,  in  the  Divine 
hand,  of  holding  up  a  light  to  the  world  which  can 
never  be  wholly  extinguished. 

In  his  early  minority  David  Ferris  was  favored 
with  a  remarkable  Divine  visitation,  under  which 
he  was  made  willing  to  renounce  all  the  ensnaring 
allurements  incident  to  that  period  of  life.  Whilst 
he  was  careful  to  live  in  a  state  of  watchfulness  and 
prayer,  the  knowledge  of  divine  things  was  unfolded 
to  his  understanding,  and,  by  dwelling  under  the 
cross  of  Christ,  his  yoke  became  easy  and  his  bur- 
den light ;  childish  vanities  were  distasteful  to  him  ; 
to  use  his  own  language — «'  the  world  and  the  things 
thereof  lost  all  their  lustre,"  in  his  sight. 

*  For  evidence  of  the  truth  of  this  sentiment,  see  ••'  The 
Gospel  Treasury  Opened,"  by  John  Everard  j  "  The  Hea- 
venly University,  wherein  is  the  highest  teaching,— the 
teaching  of  the  heart,"  by  Francis  Rouse  ;  *■  The  Crucified 
and  quickened  Christian,"  "  Christ's  Spirit  a  Christian's 
Strength,'"  and  other  works  of  William  Dell;  ''  The  Way 
to  the  Sabbath  of  rest,  or  the  Soul's  progress  in  the  work  ot 
the  new  birth,''  and  other  treatises,  by  Thomas  Bromley: 
all  published  in  the  17th  century. 


INTRODUCTION.  7 

He  was  now  approaching  liis  twentieth  year,  a 
period  when  the  world  and  its  glories  are  usually 
presented  to  the  youthful  mind  with  their  strongest 
attractions.  In  recurring  to  this  period,  he  very 
feelingly  expresses  his  regret  that,  not  keeping  his 
eye  single  to  the  Divine  Light,  he  lost  his  heavenly 
Leader,  and  then  ''the  world  rose  again  with  splen- 
dor to  his  view."  In  this  state  "  earthly  delights 
and  vanity  "  became  objects  of  his  ardent  affection, 
so  much  so,  that  he  "  took  great  pleasure  in  airy 
and  vain  company."  His  mother,  ever  watchful 
over  his  best  interests,  saw  his  danger,  and  was 
alarmed.  She  mourned  over  his  fall,  and  urged  his 
return.  During  this  season  of  alienation  from  his 
Divine  Leader,  he  suffered  grievously  under  a  sense 
of  his  transgression,  and  was  not  restored  to  the 
heavenly  Father's  house  until,  like  the  Prodigal 
Son,  he  had  endured  all  the  horrors  of  a  famine, 
during  an  awful  separation  from  the  only  source  of 
real  enjoyment. 

Our  late  Friend,  George  Dillwyn,  whose  worth 
as  a  member  and  minister  of  the  church  of  Christ 
will  long  be  remembered  with  affectionate  regard, 
gave  it  as  his  judgment,  that  David  Ferris's  Me- 
moirs were  amongst  the  most  instructive  he  had 
ever  read,  because  the  author  recorded  Jus  errors 


8  INTRODUCTION. 

and  the  means  of  his  recovery  more  circumstantially 
than  others.  Knowing  that  "  the  whole  need  not 
a  physician,  but  they  that  are  sick,"  he  thought 
the  experiences  recorded  in  the  work  were  very 
valuable,  as  affording  to  the  wanderer  great  en- 
couragement to  return,  repent  and  live. 

After  David  had  refused  to  take  a  diploma,  he 
left  the  College  and  returned  to  the  home  of  his 
parents.  They  had  heard  of  his  proceedings — had 
learned  he  had  renounced  the  honors  and  profits 
of  the  clerical  profession,  together  with  a  lucrative 
post  which  had  been  provided  for  him.  His  father 
was  thereby  greatly  grieved  and  offended.  Under 
these  feelings  he  declared  that,  if  these  reports 
were  true,  he  desired  his  son  might  never  again 
come  to  his  house  ;  and  when  afterwards  he  came 
there,  refused  to  speak  to  him.  This  disposition  on 
the  part  of  his  father,  greatly  alarmed  and  dis- 
tressed his  mother.  While  she  deeply  felt  for  the 
grief  and  disappointment  of  her  husband,  her  heart 
yearned  with  compassion  over  her  innocent  son,  of 
whose  sincerity  she  had  no  doubts,  though  she  may 
have  had  fears  concerning  the  soundness  of  his  judg- 
ment. After  his  father  had  refused  to  speak  to 
David,  as  related  in  the  Memoirs,  she  sought  a 
private  conference  with  her  son.     In  this  oppor- 


INTRODUCTION.  9 

tunity  she  questioned  him  closely  in  relation  to  his 
religious  principles  and  conduct  at  College.  To  all 
her  inquiries  he  gave  such  a  clear  account  of  him- 
self and  his  proceedings,  as  left  her  in  silent  won- 
der at  both  the  Divine  goodness  and  her  son's  in- 
tegrity. In  this  frame  of  mind  she  met  her  husband, 
and  taking  him  aside,  informed  him  that,  in  a  full 
and  free  conference  with  David,  she  was  satisfied 
he  had  acted  conscientiously  ;  that  many  of  the 
reports  concerning  him  were  wholly  unfounded,  and 
that  she  had  a  lively  hope  he  would  yet  do  well. 
This  wise  and  affectionate  conduct  of  the  mother 
softened  the  wounded  feelings  of  the  father,  and 
prepared  the  way  for  the  conciliatory  interview 
between  him  and  his  son,  as  mentioned  in  the  fol- 
lowing narrative. 

After  this  time,  the  mother  and  five  children,  to 
wit,  David,  Benjamin,  Hannah,  John  and  Zacha- 
riah,  joined  in  membership  with  Friends.  These 
children  all  became  approved  and  valuable  minis- 
ters of  the  Gospel,  and  died  in  unity  with  the 
Society. 

EDITOR. 

Fourth  month  12th,  1855. 


A  TESTIMONY 

FROM   WILMINGTON    MONTHLY    MEETING,    IN    THE    COUNTY   OP    NEW 
CASTLE,    ON    DELAWARE,    CONCERNING 

DAVID    FEllKIS. 

He  was  the  son  of  Zacbariah  and  Sarah  Ferris ;  and 
was  born  in  Stratford,  in  Connecticut  government,  New 
England,  the  10th  of  the  Third  month,  1707.  His  pa- 
rents being  Presbyterians,  brought  him  up  in  that  way; 
his  mother  being  religiously  disposed,  and  much  con- 
cerned for  her  offspring,  frequently  gave  them  good  ad- 
vice and  admonition  ;  which  had  some  good  effect  with 
this,  our  friend,  as  he  has  often  been  heard  to  express. 

We  find,  by  some  remarks  he  left,  that  about  the 
twelfth  year  of  his  age,  he  was  frequently  visited  and 
called  unto  by  the  divine  Monitor  in  his  heart,  to  forsake 
evil  and  youthful  vanities,  which  he  delighted  in ;  and, 
by  being  in  a  good  degree  faithful  thereto,  was  for  a  time 
preserved  from  them  ;  but  for  want  of  attending  to  that 
which  would  have  continued  to  preserve  him,  the  pleasures 
and  vanities  of  this  world  got  hold  of  his  mind  ;  so  that 
he  took  much  delight  in  airy  and  vain  company,  music 
and  dancing,  and  such  like  amusements,  until  about  the 
twentieth  year  of  his  age  ;  when  it  pleased  the  Lord  to 
visit  him  with  a  sore  fit  of  sickness,  which  proved  of  last- 
ing advantage  to  him,  as  it  occasioned  him  to  take  up  a 
fresh  resolution,  to  forsake  the  evil  of  his  ways,  and  turn 
to  the  Lord  with  full  purpose  of  heart;  which  he  was, 
through  mercy,  favored  with  ability  in  measure  to  per- 
form. 

He  still  continued  in  profession  with  the  Presbyterians, 
not  having  any  knowledge  of  Friends ;  although,  by  at- 


12  MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

tending  to  the  teachings  of  divine  grace,  he  became  con- 
vinced of  the  principle  we  profess  ;  and  hearing  of  ayearlj 
meeting  of  Friends  to  be  held  on  Long  Island,  went  to  it, 
with  desires  to  discover  whether  they  were  a  living  people 
or  not,  for  such  he  desired  to  find ;  where  he  met  with 
what  he  often  longed  for,  a  people  that  worshipped  God 
in  spirit  and  in  truth ;  which  was  a  great  strength  and 
confirmation  to  him,  in  forsaking  the  errors  of  his  youth. 
And  by  yielding  obedience  to  these  inward  motions,  he 
gained  strength,  and  was  more  and  more  enabled  to  bear 
a  faithful  testimony  to  the  truth,  as  it  was  made  known 
to  him. 

In  the  Sixth  month,  1733,  he  removed  to  Philadelphia, 
where  he  joined  in  religious  fellowship  with  Friends.  In 
1785,  he  married  Mary,  the  daughter  of  Samuel  and 
Sarah  Massey ;  and  in  1737,  removed  to  Wilmington,  in 
New  Castle  County ;  where  he  resided  the  remainder  of 
his  days. 

He  made  some  appearance  in  the  ministry  about  the 
year  1731  j  but  through  unfaithfulness  to  the  Divine  call, 
he  from  time  to  time  put  it  off,  and  remained  in  a  neglect 
of  duty  therein  upwards  of  twenty  years ;  although  he  was 
often  warned,  both  immediately  and  instrumentally,  in  a 
remarkable  manner;  which,  at  length,  produced  a  sub- 
mission to  the  Divine  will ;  so  that,  in  the  year  1755,  he 
was  made  willing  to  give  up  thereto,  and  therein  found 
great  peace. 

He  travelled  through  divers  parts  of  this  continent  in 
the  work  of  the  ministry  ;  and,  by  certificates  produced 
on  his  return  home,  it  appeared  that  his  conduct,  conver- 
sation, and  labors  abroad,  were  exemplary  and  edifying  ; 
tending  to  the  advancement  of  truth  and  righteousness. 
His  doctrine  was  sound,  and  acceptable  to  the  honest- 
hearted,  though  sharp  against  the  hypocrite  and  rebel- 
lious ;  yet  tender  to  the  mourners  and  disconsolate. 

He  was  very  serviceable  in  our  meetings  for  discipline; 
which,  with  other  meetings,  he  diligently  attended  ;  not 
suflFering  his  outward  afiairs  to  hinder  him  from  what  he 


Mf:MOIPtS.  OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  lo 

believed  to  be  his  religious  duty.  And,  althougli  he  fol- 
lowed shop-keeping  for  a  living,  it  was  his  practice  to 
shut  up  his  shop,  and  take  his  faniilj  with  him  to  week- 
day meetings  j  often  expressing,  for  the  encouragement  of 
others,  that  he  believed  it  was  attended  with  a  blessing. 
He  was  free  and  open-hearted  to  entertain  Friends,  and 
concerned  to  bring  up  his  childron  in  plainness,  and  in- 
struct them  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord,  believing  that  to  be 
the  best  portion  they  could  inherit ;  remarkably  charitable 
to  the  poor,  and  often  administered  to  their  necessities. 

Bodily  weakness  attended  him  during  the  last  three 
years  of  his  life ;  and  near  the  close  of  his  days  he  was 
much  afflicted  with  sickness,  which  he  bore  with  patience  ; 
often  expressing  his  prospect  of  his  approaching  end,  and 
his  resignation  therein,  saying,  ^'AU  is  well."  Several 
Friends  being  present,  after  a  time  of  silence,  he  in  a 
lively  manner  repeated  the  expressions  of  the  Apostle— 
"  To  me,  to  live  is  Christ,  and  to  die  is  gain.'' 

He  departed  this  life  the  5th  of  the  Twelfth  month, 
1779,  aged  upwards  of  seventy-two,  a  minister  about 
twenty-four  years.  On  the  7th  of  the  same  month,  his 
corpse  was  interred  in  our  burying  ground  in  Wilmington. 


MEMOIRS 

OF    THE 

LIFE  OF  DAVID  FERRIS. 


When  I  consider  the  situation  of  man  in  liis  fallen 
state,  and  the  great  change  that  all  must  experience  be- 
fore they  can  be  delivered  from  the  power  of  darkness, 
and  be  translated  into  the  kingdom  of  the  dear  Son  of 
God ;  that,  in  order  to  attain  to  this  happy  state,  all  must 
experience  a  mortification  of  their  natural  tempers  and 
evil  propensities  ;  must  know  the  "  old  man  "  to  be  slain, 
and  the  "  new  man  ''  to  be  put  on ;  which,  after  God,  is 
created  in  righteousness  and  true  holiness ;  and  that,  in 
order  to  walk  in  the  new  aud  living  way,  we  must  know 
old  things  to  pass  away  and  all  things  to  become  new.  I 
say,  when  I  consider  these  things,  I  feel  a  concern  for 
my  fellow  men,  that  they  may  become  acquainted  with 
this  change.  iVnd,  apprehending  that  I  have  had  some 
acquaintance  with  it,  by  passing  through  various  dispensa- 
■ions  of  trial  and  affliction,  I  am  inclined  to  leave  some 
account  of  them  to  posterity,  to  show  to  those  who  follow, 
that  the  Lord  is  ever  near,  and  will  be  found  of  those  who 
seek  him  early ;  that  he  is  long  suffering  towards  those 
who  go  astray,  and  merciful  to  all  who  sincerely  turn  to 
him  ;  hoping  it  may  minister  information  and  encourage- 
ment to  weary  travellers  in  the  same  road,  and  induce 
them  cheerfully  to  comply  with  divine  requirings. 

I  wrote  a  short  account  of  the  fore  part  of  my  life  in 
Latin,  continued  to  about  tho  twenty-fifth  3'ear  of  my  age. 


IG  MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID    FERRIS. 

The  many  diflScultics  and  dangers  in  my  way,  and  some- 
times doubtinp;  whether  I  should  hold  out  to  the  end,  in- 
duced me  to  keep  my  history  in  a  language  unknown  to 
those  about  me.  I  concluded  that  if  I  should  hold  on 
my  way,  I  might  afterward  translate  it  into  English,  and 
add  to  it,  as  I  found  freedom.  And  now,  after  about 
twenty  years'  experience  of  divine  support  and  preserva- 
tion, having  great  cause  to  say  that  "  God  is  good  to  them 
who  seek  him,"  that  none  seek  him  in  vain,  and  that  his 
tender  mercies  fail  not,  I  am  inclined  to  translate  it, 
hoping  it  may  be  useful,  at  least,  to  some  of  my  posterity. 

"  I  was  born  at  Stratford  in  Connecticut,  New  England, 
the  10th  day  of  the  Third  month,  1707.  My  parents, 
Zachariah  and  Sarah  Ferris,  made  profession  with  the 
people  called  Presbyterians  ;  and  in  that  way  I  had  my 
education.  My  father,  while  1  was  very  young,  moved 
to  a  place  called  New  Milford.  It  being  a  newly  settled 
place,  I  had  not  the  advantage  of  a  school;  but,  under 
the  care  of  my  mother,  I  soon  learned  to  read  in  the  Bible, 
and  understood  that  there  was  a  Supreme  Being,  who 
made  all  things,  and  preserved  and  upheld  them  in  their 
order:  and  that,  as  the  workmanship  of  his  hand,  I  stood 
accountable  to  him  for  every  part  of  my  conduct.  About 
the  eighth  year  of  my  age,  I  was  informed  that  the  Di- 
vine Being  was  self-existent ;  without  beginning  and  with- 
out end;  and  not  being  aljle  to  understand  how  that 
could  be,  I  sometimes  thought  so  intensely  on  the  sub- 
ject that  I  became  much  bewildered.  At  length  it  was 
shown  me  that  the  proposition  was  too  high  for  my  com- 
prehension ;  and  I  received  something  like  a  reproof  for 
searching  into  things  beyond  my  capacity.  From  that 
time  I  was  fearful  of  prying  into  such  deep  mysteries. 

j-  My  mother,  being  a  religious  woman,  and  much  con- 
cerned for  the  good  of  her  offspring,  both  temporally  and 
spiritually,  was  frequent  in  giving  them  good  advice  and 
admonition  ;  desiring  that  we  might  shun  the  paths  of 
error  ;   and  teaching  us,  by  her  own  example,  as  well  as 

^by  precept,  to  walk  in  the  ways  of  virtue,  which  lead  to 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  17 

peace.  This  was  a  great  help  to  us  while  young,  and  wa§^ 
not  easily  forgotten  when  we  came  to  maturity.  Death 
was  frequently  the  subject  of  my  thoughts;  and,  in  the 
twelfth  year  of  my  age,  I  was  often  called  by  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  forsake  evil  and  leave  youthful  vanities, 
which  I  then  delighted  in,  and  to  be  sober  and  circum- 
spect in  all  my  ways.  By  attention  to  the  Divine  call, 
and  to  the  reproofs  of  instruction  daily  communicated,  I 
was  preserved  from  evil,  and  saw  something  of  the  beauty 
of  holiness ;  the  happy  state  of  the  righteous  in  the  world 
to  come,  and  also  the  moving  situation  of  the  wicked 
when  they  put  off  mortality  and  hear  the  awful  sentence 
pronounced,  ''  Depart  ye  cursed." 

About  this  time  a  little  circumstance  occurred  that 
much  affected  my  mind,  and  afforded  me  lasting  instruc- 
tion. As  I  was  riding  through  a  river,  against  a  rapid 
current,  a  young  dog,  attempting  to  swim  after  me,  the 
stream  being  too  strong  for  him,  could  not  keep  up  with 
my  horse.  He  appeared  to  be  in  the  utmost  distress,  even 
to  desperation.  As  my  mind  was  filled  with  pity  for  the 
poor  animal,  it  was  opened  to  my  view  the  awful  amaze- 
ment a  poor  soul  must  be  in  when  leaving  the  world  des- 
titute of  hope.  As  simple  a  circumstance  as  this  may 
appear,  it  was,  I  believe,  of  use  to  me  for  years.  I  was 
very  careful  of  my  thoughts,  words  and  actions  for  several 
years  afterwards;  the  fear  of  the  Lord  preserving  me 
from  evil.  My  mind  was  humbled  under  a  sense  of  my 
daily  want  of  divine  help ;  and  as  I  abode  under  a  reli- 
gious concern,  attending  to  the  reproofs  of  instruction 
which  ^re  the  way  to  life,  an  increase  of  light  and  life 
was  communicated  to  me ;  so  that  I  came  to  delight  in 
virtue.  As  my  desires  and  care  for  divine  things  increased, 
the  knowledge  of  them  was  unfolded.  I  could  truly  say 
the  Lord  was  my  delight,  and  for  some  years,  as  I  dwelt 
in  his  fear,  his  yoke  was  easy,  his  burden  light,  and 
all  childish  vanities  were  burdensome. 

While  I  kept  near  the  spring  of  life,  with  my  mind 
fixed  on  the  true  object,  the  world  and  the  things  thereof 
2* 


18  MEMOIRS   or   DAVID   FERRIS. 

lost  all  their  lustre.  But,  alas  !  not  keeping  my  eye  single 
to  the  light,  I  lost  my  Leader;  and  then,  by  little  and 
little,  the  world  rose  again  with  splendor  to  my  view. 
Earthly  delights  and  vanity  got  such  hold  of  my  affec- 
tions that  I  took  great  pleasure  in  airy  and  vain  company. 
This  was  an  unspeakable  loss  to  me,  and  I  mention  it  that 
others  may  take  warning  by  my  harms.  It  seemed  almost 
miraculous  that  I  was  ever  restored  from  this  lapsed  state. 
My  mother  mourned  over  me,  and  often  advised  and 
urged  my  return  ;  showing  me  the  danger  of  such  a  course 
of  vanity.  Yet  I  was  not  wholly  forsaken  by  my  inward 
Monitor  and  former  Guide.  At  times  it  reproved  me ; 
at  other  times  called  me,  wooing  and  pleading  with  me 
to  return.  Sometimes,  in  the  midst  of  my  vanity,  I  saw 
that  I  was  in  the  way  to  death ;  and  that  it  would  land 
me  in  everlasting  confusion  if  I  did  not  forsake  it.  Some- 
times my  concern  was  so  great,  that  I  was  obliged  to  leave 
my  vain  companions,  and  retire  so  full  of  trouble  and  dis- 
tress, that  I  had  no  satisfaction  until  a  considerable  time 
afterward.  During  these  seasons  of  affliction  I  was  ready 
to  promise  to  forsake  my  vain  course  of  life,  and  to  cove- 
nant with  the  Lord  that  I  would  do  so  no  more,  provided 
he  would  be  pleased  to  grant  me  his  assistance. 
But  my  efforts,  being  too  much  in  my  own  strength, 
proved  unavailing.  Vanity  so  prevailed  tjiat  1  took  great 
delight  in  music,  dancing  and  other  vain  amusements. 

In  the  twentieth  year  of  my  age  I  was  visited  with 
severe  illness,  so  that  I,  and  those  about  me,  had  very  little 
hope  of  my  recovery.  Then  death  stared  me  in  the  face ; 
and  a  dreadful  scene  of  woe,  anguish  and  miserjj  opened 
to  my  view.  It  appeared  clear  to  me  that  if  I  were  then 
taken  off  the  stage  of  action  I  should  be  unavoidably  lost ; 
and  that  evil  spirits  were  waiting  round  me,  to  convey 
my  soul  to  the  mansions  of  misery  and  everlasting  dark- 
ness ;  so  that  my  horror,  anxiety  and  distress  were  inex- 
pressible. In  the  utmost  anguish  of  mind  I  cried  to  the 
Jjord  for  help,  promising  amendment,  if  more  time  and 
ability  were  afforded  me ;   and  it  pleased  a  kind  Provi- 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  19 

dence  to  be  propitious  to  me ;  so  that  I  was  restored  to 
health,  and  in  about  a  month  was  able  to  walk  about. 

After  my  recovery  I  remembered  the  distress  I  had 
been  in,  and  the  promise  I  hud  made,  when  under  the 
dreadful  apprehension  of  everlasting  misery  and  destruc- 
tion. I  saw  the  necessity  of  a  faithful  performance  of 
my  vows.  I  was  sensible  that  there  was  a  work  to  be 
done  ;  and  that  if  I  did  not  now  comply  with  my  pro- 
mise, I  should  have  to  pass  through  the  same,  or  rather  a 
worse  scene  of  misery  and  distress.  It  appeared  proba- 
ble that  a  more  convenient  opportunity  for  repentance 
than  the  present  would  not  be  afforded ;  and  I  concluded 
that  this  was  the  time  to  turn  from  vanity  ',  forsake  my 
evil  ways  ;  and  renounce  all  my  sensual  delights.  But, 
when  I  had  resolved  to  begin  the  necessary  work  of  re- 
formation, the  adversary  of  all  good  tempted  me  to 
believe  that  it  was  too  late  to  think  of  obtaining  peace 
with  my  Maker ;  for  this  plain  reason,  ''  that  as  there 
was  a  day  or  time,  in  which  men  might  be  saved  ;  so,  if 
they  let  that  opportunity  pass  away  unimproved,  it  would 
be  in  vain  to  attempt  it  afterward."  He  suggested,  that 
I  had  had  such  a  day  of  visitation,  and  had  passed  by  it ; 
that  I  had  been  uncommonly  favored  with  help,  and  for 
a  time  did  not  accept  of  it ;  that  I  had  been  made  a  par- 
taker of  the  Holy  Ghost ;  that  I  had  tasted  of  the  good 
word  of  God>  and  the  powers  of  the  world  to  come,  and 
had  fallen  from  it ;  so  now  it  was  impossible  that  I  should 
again  be  renewed  unto  repentance ;  seeing  I  had  cruci- 
fied the  son  of  God  afresh,  and  put  him  to  open  shame. 
This  reasoning  appeared  so  strong,  and  so  consonant  to 
the  apostle's  doctrine,  that  I  gave  up  the  point ;  and  con- 
cluded it  was  too  late  to  attempt  a  return,  with  hope  of 
acceptance. 

From  that  time,  during  the  space  of  about  two  months, 
I  never  sought  for  mercy  ;  but  remained  in  utter  despair. 
My  distress  was  as  great  as  could  well  be  supported  with- 
out loss  of  reason.     I  daily  wished  for  death,  so  that  it 


20  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

might  occur  without  laying  violent  hands  on  myself; 
which  I  was  not  much  tempted  to  do. 

It  was  usual  with  the  young  people  of  our  neighbor- 
hood to  spend  much  of  their  time  in  vanity  and  merri- 
ment ;  forgetful  of  Grod,  their  Creator ;  as  if  they  had 
been  made  to  please  themselves  in  the  gratification  of  a 
sensual  mind,  and,  provided  they  were  not  profanely 
wicked,  the  elderly  part  of  the  Society  were  not  very  un- 
easy with  it.  But,  in  the  year  1727,  there  was  a  great 
reformation  at  New-Milford,  among  the  young  people  of 
the  Presbyterian  profession.  They  had  been  awakened 
by  the  immediate  operation  of  the  Holy  Spirit  on  their 
own  minds ;  and  were  brought  into  great  concern  for 
their  future  well  being ;  under  which  they  had  no  out- 
ward assistance.  The  apostolic  doctrine  of  "  Christ 
within,''  and  of  being  '^  led  by  the  Spirit  of  God,"  was 
denied  by  the  priest  and  many  of  the  people,  who  ap- 
peared to  have  little  sense  of  a  divine  Teacher  in  them- 
selves ;  but  asserted  that  revelation  had  now  ceased,  and 
no  such  thing  was  to  be  experienced  in  this  day.  As  I 
had  been  the  companion  of  those  young  people  in  vanity 
and  dissipation,  they  (knowing  nothing  of  my  inward 
condition,  which  I  had  not  discovered  to  any)  generally 
applied  to  me  for  counsel  and  advice ;  and  I  was  much 
concerned  on  their  account ;  being  desirous  of  affording 
them  assistance,  although  I  had  no  hope  of  relief  at  that 
time  for  myself. 

My  trouble  continued  and  increased;  so  that  I  had  no 
satisfaction  in  life.  On  a  certain  day,  in  this  season  of 
despair  and  deep  distress,  I  concluded  to  leave  my  native 
land  and  go  into  some  foreign  country,  to  spend  the  resi- 
due of  my  days;  where  I  purposed  to  remain  unknown, 
and  that  none  of  my  relations  or  acquaintance  should 
know  what  was  become  of  me.  Being,  in  my  own  apprehen- 
sion, a  poor,  lost,  reprobate  creature,  I  was  not  willing  to 
remain  at  home,  to  be  a  disgrace  to  my  relations  and 
country  people.  This  was  a  day  of  the  deepest  affliction 
and  distress  that  I  had  known.     Towards   evening,  as  I 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  21 

followed  the  plouc^h,  my  attention  was  arrested,  as  it  were, 
by  a  still,  small  voice,  sayinir,  "  The  blood  of  Jesus 
Christ  his  son  cleanseth  from  all  sin."  But  I  put  it  by ; 
saying  in  my  heart,  "  It  is  too  late ;  there  has  been  a  day 
wherein  I  might  have  been  cleansed  ;  but,  alas  !  I  have 
let  it  pass  over  my  head  for  ever."  Some  time  after  this, 
(perhaps  half  an  hour,)  while  T  was  musing  on  what  land  I 
should  flee  to,  the  same  words  passed  through  ray  mind 
again,  with  more  authority  than  before,  and  commanded 
my  attention  rather  more  closely  than  they  had  done ; 
but  I  again  put  them  by  ;  concluding  I  had  lost  all  right 
to  apply  them  to  myself.  So  I  resumed  the  considera- 
tion of  my  flight  to  a  foreign  land.  In  the  mean  time 
my  sorrow  and  anxiety  of  mind  increased  ;  so  that  I  was 
not  well  able  to  support  it,  or  go  on  with  my  business. 
But  while  I  was  still  musing,  the  same  words  unsought 
for,  and  unexpectedly,  passed  through  my  mind  with 
greater  power  and  authority  than  at  at  any  time  before, 
*^  The  blood  of  Jesus  Christ  his  sou  cleanseth  us  from  all 
sin."  At  the  sound  of  them  my  soul  leaped  for  joy.  I 
felt  that  a  door  of  hope  was  opened,  and  said  in  my  heart 
^'  If  all  sin,  why  not  mine  f  Then  a  living  hope  sprang 
in  my  soul.  I  saw  the  arms  of  mercy  open  to  receive 
me,  and  the  way  cleared  before  me  as  a  road  through  a 
thicket. 

I  was  now  filled  with  joy  unspeakable ;  thanksgiving 
and  living  praise  to  my  Redeemer  arose  in  my  heart  for 
the  experience  of  so  great  and  marvellous  a  deliverance ; 
that  my  feet  should  be  plucked  out  of  the  mire  and  set 
upon  a  rock  ;  that  I,  who  had  no  hope  just  before,  should 
now  be  favored  with  a  well-grounded  assurance  of  par- 
don and  acceptance,  was  a  mercy  never  to  be  forgotten. 

From  this  time  I  sought  for  divine  assistance  ;  and,  in 
infinite  kindness,  a  hand  of  help  was  extended  for  my 
restoration,  and  the  healing  of  my  backslidings.  Then 
I  was  enabled  to  sing  upon  the  banks  of  deliverance,  and 
praise  the  name  of  Him  who  lives  for  ever.  The  Holy 
Spirit,  that  blessed  Teacher,  with  whom  I  had  formerly 


22  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

been  favored,  but  bad  forsaken,  was  now  restored,  as  a 
leader  and  teacber,  to  direct  and  instruct  me  in  tbe  way 
to  peace  and  rest.  From  this  time  my  mind,  after  such 
great  favor,  was  bumbled  and  made  subject  to  the  cross 
of  Christ,  and  heartily  willing  to  take  it  up,  daily,  and 
follow  him,  my  kind  leader,  in  the  narrow  way  of  self- 
denial.  And  as  I  was  obedient,  he  led  me  to  forsake  my 
vain  course  of  life,  and  all  those  youthful  delights  and 
sensual  pleasures  which  were  displeasing  to  my  dear  Lord 
and  Master ;  who  in  wonderful  mercy  had  lifted  me  out 
of  the  dungeon,  and  heard  my  prayers  in  a  time  of  deep 
affliction.  He  now  became  my  director  in  all  things; 
showing  me  clearly  what  my  duties  were ;  and  enabling 
me  to  perform  them  in  an  acceptable  manner.  But  if,  at 
any  time,  I  acted  in  my  own  will,  1  lost  my  strength,  and 
found  no  acceptance  nor  benefit  by  my  performances ;  by 
which  I  gradually  learnt,  that  I  could  do  nothing,  ac- 
ceptably, without  the  immediate  assistance  of  the  spirit 

'of  Christ  the  Eedeemer.  Thus  I  found  a  necessity  to 
apply  continually  to  my  only  and  all-sufficient  helper ;  and 
humbly  to  wait  for  his  assistance  and  direction  ;  and  as  I 
was  faithful,  he  led  me  into  the   path  of  life,  which,  if 

^continued  in,  will  terminate  in  everlasting  peace. 

Having  gradually  learned  that  nothing  of  a  religious  na- 
ture could  be  effectually  done,  without  the  immediate  as- 
sistance of  the  Holy  Spirit,  I  may  humbly  acknowledge 
that  I  was  wonderfully  favored  with  divine  instruction ; 
far  beyond  my  expectation,  and  infinitely  above  my  de- 
serts. I  was  led,  as  it  were,  by  the  hand,  and  helped 
over  every  difficulty  that  attended  me.  But  the  adver- 
sary of  my  soul  tried  every  stratagem  to  draw  me  aside 
from  the  path  of  virtue.  He  strove,, night  and  day,  to 
deter  me  from  walking  in  the  narrow  way  ;  representing 
the  difficulties  to  be  so  great  that  I  could  never  hold  out 
to  the  end ;  and  that  all  my  attempts  would  be  in  vain. 
He  seemed  to  be  continually  present,  whether  I  was 
awake  or  asleep,  disquieting  my  mind  as  much  as  possi- 
ble.    But  my  prayer  was  incessant  for  divine  aid ;  that 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  23 

a  stronger  than  he  miglit  appear  for  ray  help,  and  dis- 
possess him.  And,  in  about  a  year  after  I  had  been 
raised  from  the  pit  of  despair,  as  before  rehited,  I 
received  a  promise  that  ''the  God  of  peace  would  bruise 
Satan  under  my  feet  shortly."  Faith  was  given  me  to 
believe  in  this  promise  ;  and  I  hoped  for  a  speedy  deliver- 
ance. But  he  continued  to  afflict  mc  with  his  assaults, 
with  temptations,  and  evil  suggestions,  for  some  months 
afterward.  Notwithstanding  which,  I  still  believed  the 
time  would  come,  according  to  the  promise,  and  I  prayed 
for  its  fulfilment,  in  the  Lord's  time.  At  length,  a 
stronger  than  he  did  indeed  come,  and  cast  him  out,  and 
wholly  dispossessed  him ;  and  not  only  bruised  him  un- 
der foot,  but  removed  him  far  from  me. 

The  power  of  the  enemy  to  assault,  or  in  any  wise  to 
disquiet  me,  was  now  taken  away ;  neither  was  he  able 
to  lay  any  temptation  before  me.  Now  was  my  soul  daily 
filled  with  thanksgiving  and  living  praise  for  this  deliver- 
ance; as  well  as  for  all  the  other  manifold  mercies  and 
favors  of  God,  from  day  to  day,  bestowed  upon  me,  ''  a 
worm  and  no  man."  To  the  honor  of  his  great  name, 
who  hath  done  marvellous  things  for  me,  and  to  the  praise 
of  his  grace,  I  may  say,  that  the  adversary  of  all  good 
was  not  only  thus  prevented  from  troubling  me  ;  but  the 
fountain  of  divine  life  was  opened,  and  the  water  thereof 
flowed  so  freely  and  plentifully  into  my  soul,  that  I  was 
absorbed  in  it,  and  so  enamoured  thereby,  that  all  the 
riches,  honors,  and  vain  pleasures  of  this  world,  had  no 
place  in  my  affections.  In  this  state  I  longed  to  be  dis- 
solved and  to  be  with  Christ ;  which,  I  was  sensible,  was 
better  than  to  be  here.  I  do  not  know  that  there  was 
one  moment,  whilst  I  was  awake,  for  the  space  of  nearly 
two  years,  in  which  I  could  not  sing  living  praises  to 
him  who  liveth  for  ever  and  ever.  No  losses,  crosses,  or 
disappointments  did,  in  any  degree,  disturb  me ;  at  least 
not  perceptibly,  either  to  myself  or  others  ;  for  my  de- 
light was  in  objects  very  different  from  any  thing  this 
world  can  give,  or  take  away.     I  dwelt   as  in  the  mount, 


24  MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

out  of  my  enemy's  reach ;  and,  apparently,  out  of  dan- 
ger from  any  evil.  Here  I  hoped  to  remain  all  the  days 
of  my  life,  and  that  I  never  should  be  moved. 

However  strange  this  relation  may  appear  to  many,  I 
believe  it  is  strictly  true.  I  am  sensible  that  some,  who 
have  no  experience  in  things  of  this  nature,  may  smile 
at  this  narrative )  but  others  may  be  glad  to  see  in  it  a 
relation  of  circumstances  corresponding,  perhaps,  to  their 
^own  experience  of  trials  passed  through,  or  favors  re- 
^_ceived  from  the  divine  and  all  bountiful  hand.  I  have 
no  vanity  in  penning  this  account ;  but  rather  a  fear,  lest 
the  succeeding  part  of  my  life  should  not  correspond 
with  the  favors  conferred  upon  me,  by  a  gracious  bene- 
factor ;  as  stated  in  the  preceding  account. 

While  I  dwelt  as  on  the  mount,  as  before  related,  my 
spiritual  eyes  were  opened  ;  my  understanding  enlight- 
ened and  enlarged.  I  then  wondered  to  see  that  the 
world,  as  far  as  my  knowledge  of  it  extended,  was  more 
in  show  than  substance;  better  in  appearance  than  in  re- 
ality -y  that  even  the  true  form  of  godliness  was  too  little 
to  be  seen.  I  had  conceived  that  the  people  among 
whom  I  was  educ  .ted  w^ere  better  than  the  other  profes- 
sors of  Christianity  ]  but  when  my  eyes  were  thus 
anointed,  to  see  clearly,  I  found  very  little  true  religion 
among  them.  Primitive  purity  appeared  to  be  very  much 
lost.  I  was  affected  with  sorrow  and  mourning,  on  ac- 
count of  the  great  declension  among  the  professors  of  the 
Christian  religion,  in  general  :  for  the  more  I  was  con- 
cerned to  examine  the  subject,  and  sought  for  divine  wis- 
dom, the  stronger  were  my  convictions,  the  clearer  my 
views,  of  a  general  apostacy  ;  that  a  life  of  self-denial,  a 
dwelling  under  the  cross  of  Christ,  was  very  little  re- 
garded. 

Before  this  period  I  had  had  a  desire  to  acquire  a  know- 
ledge of  the  languages,  and  other  learning,  and  now  my 
mind  became  satisfied  that  it  would  be  right  for  me  to 
{^pursue  these    objects;  but,  before  I  give  an  account  of 
my  progress  in  this  pursuit,  I  will  recur  to  a  subject  men- 


MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID    FERRIS,  25 

tioned  before.  It  was  said,  that  in  the  year  1727,  soDfe 
of  my  companious  were  brought  under  a  concern  for  their 
future  happiness.  This  concern  spread,  and  so  increased 
among  the  young  people,  at  New-5lilford,  that  it  became 
general.  Many  that  had  spent  much  of  their  time  in 
vanity  and  mirth,  were,  at  this  period,  exercised  for  their 
eternal  welfare;  crying  out,  as  some  did  formerly,  ''  What 
shall  we  do  to  be  saved  V  I  think  there  were  nearly 
sixty  of  us,  in  about  one  year,  who  joined  in  close  com- 
munion with  the  Presb3'terians,  in  the  participation  of  the 
bread  and  wine.  As  we  were  faithful  in  the  discharge 
of  our  duty,  as  far  as  it  was  manifested  to  us,  and  en- 
deavored to  advance  in  the  path  of  virtue,  our  understand- 
ings became  illuminated,  so  as  to  perceive  some  things  in 
a  different  light  from  that  in  which  they  were  seen  by  our 
fellow  professors;  both  with  respect  to  practical  and  doc- 
trinal points.  Sometimes  we  ventured  to  njcntion  some 
of  our  sentiments,  on  subjects  in  which  we  apprehended 
there  was  a  difference  between  us,  which  soon  involved  us 
in  trouble. 

"We  were  accused  of  holding  heretical  opinions ;  and 
brought  before  the  church  to  answer  the  accusation. 
Neighboring  ministers  were  called  to  deal  with  us,  on  this 
occasion ;  but  they  made  little  of  it.  I  had  previously 
stated,  in  writing,  the  points  of  difference  between  us; 
with  the  reasons  for  our  dissent ;  and  when  the  congre- 
gation met  to  deal  with  us,  I  presented  it  to  them,  where- 
upon a  committee  was  appointed,  to  examine  the  docu- 
ment, and  to  judge  whether  it  would  be  proper  to  read  it 
in  that  assembly.  On  their  return,  they  reported  favor- 
ably, and  it  was  read.  When  any  difliculty  occurred,  I 
was  desired  to  explain  my  meaning,  which  1  did  accord- 
ingly. After  it  was  read  through,  they  sat  silent  for 
some  time.  At  length,  an  ancient  man  rose,  and  said, 
^' If  this  be  all  wherein  our  younger  brethren  are  supposed 
to  differ  from  us,  there  is  nothing  in  this  writing  that  I 
cannot  unite  with,  and  say  *  Amen  '  to."  Others,  of  the 
foremost  rank,  expressed  the  same  opinion  ;  upon  which 
3 


26  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

it  was  concluded  that  our  sentiments  were  not  so  lietero- 
dox  as  to  prevent  communion  with  us.  It  was  settled 
accordingly;  and  we  were  pronounced  members  in  full 
communion. 

But,  notwithstanding  this  conclusion,  a  report  was  cir- 
culated, and  generally  believed  among  the  people,  that 
we  were  heretics;  and  I  was  considered  as  a  leader  among 
them.  Some  called  us  Quakers  ;  but  we  knew  nothing 
of  that  people,  and  thought  it  as  ill  a  name  as  they  did; 
though  we  considered  it  our  duty  patiently  to  bear  the  re- 
proach cast  on  us  for  the  Truth's  sake. 

But  to  continue  the  account  of  my  proceedings  relative 
to  the  acquisition  of  learning.  I  first  went  to  the  teacher 
in  our  parish,  and  staid  with  him,  as  a  scholar,  but  one 
month,  until  he  refused  to  teach  me  any  further,  alleging, 
as  a  reason  for  his  refusal,  that  my  opinions  were  too 
heretical  to  admit  of  my  reception  into  the  college ;  so 
that  my  labor  would  be  useless;  or,  at  least,  not  answer 
the  end  proposed.  He  was  a  weak  man ;  and  had  but 
little  experience  in  religious  concerns,  in  which  I  had 
now  acquired  some  knowledge ;  besides,  he  was  not  scholar 
enough  to  teach  me  to  any  purpose ;  which  made  me  wil- 
ling to  leave  him. 

After  this  I  soon  concluded  to  go  to  Danby,  abou 
thirty  miles  from  my  father's  house,  and  to  place  myself 
under  the  tuition  of  a  teacher  whose  name  was  Moss.  I 
had  heard  that  he  was  a  good  scholar,  and  a  good  Chris- 
tian. These  qualities  I  thought  would  make  the  situa- 
tion pleasant  to  me  ;  and  I  was  not  disappointed.  Whilst 
1  was  preparing  to  go  to  him,  I  was  suddenly  taken  sick, 
and  became  so  ill,  that  in  a  few  hours  it  appeared  doubt- 
ful whether  1  should  recover.  I  was  in  hope  that  my 
departure  was  at  hand;  though  I  did  not  then  see  how 
I  should  be  disposed  of.  Whilst  I  was  lying  very  ill, 
though  my  understanding  was  calm  and  clear,  and  my 
will  fully  resigned,  my  mother  came  to  me,  and  asked 
me  if  I  thought  I  should  die  with  that  illness.  I  an- 
swered, I  did   not  know  how  that  might  be:  but  should 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  til 

be  glad  to  leave  this  world,  if  it  were   the  will  of  God. 
After  some  farther  discourse,  my  mother  left  me  alone; 
and  soon  after, my  soul  (as  I  apprehended)  departed  from 
the  body.     On  which  I   was  filled  with  joy  ;  concluding 
I  had  done  with  this  world,  and  all  its  troubles.     Being 
now  freed  from  the  shackles  of  mortality,  I  went  on  re- 
joicing toward  the   land  of  bliss    with  great  alacrity  of 
soul,  and  as  I  departed,  I  thought  I  saw  my  body  lying  a 
lifeless  lump  of  matter.     But  as  I  went  forward,   I   was 
met  by  some  excellent  person  whom  I  took  to  be  the  Si  n 
of  God ;  and  who  informed  me  that  I  must  not  go  ;  say- 
ing, "  Thou  must  return  to  the  body ;  thou  shalt  not  die 
but  live,  and  declare  the  wonderful  works    of  the  Lord." 
I  was  troubled  to  think  of  returning,  to  be  confined  to  a 
body  of  clay.     However,  I  stood  still,  musing  and  wait- 
ing for  direction  ;  when  it  appeared  to  be  my  duty  to  sub- 
mit.    I  then  said,   "  The   will   of  the  Lord  be  done," 
and  immediately  I    was    in  the  body.     ISoon   after  this, 
my    mother    came  a^^ain   into    the   room,    and  repeated 
the  question  she  had  put  to  me  before;  to  wit,  whether 
I  thought  I  should  die   at  that  time.     I  answered,  "  I 
shall  not  die  with  this  illness."     She  seemed  surprised 
that  I  should  answer  so  positivel}',  and  without  hesitation  ; 
and  then  queried    how  I  knew  that.     "For,"   said   she, 
'^you  told  me,  about  an  hour  ago,  that  you  did  not  know 
whether  life  or  death  would  be  your  lot  at  this  time."    I 
then  gave  her  an   account  of  the   circumstances    just  re- 
lated; which  satisfied   her  respecting  my  confident   an- 
swer.    She  was  filled    with  joy,  and  thankful  acknow- 
ledgement to  the  Fountain  of  all  Good,  that  I    was  re- 
stored to  her,  and  that  he  had  been  so  propitious  to  me 
as  to  reveal  his  will  in  so  clear  and  indubitable  a  man- 
ner.    At  this  time  my  mother  and  I  were  both  Presbyte-  ' 
rians  ;  and  continued  in   that  profession  several  years  af- 
ter this  event. 

Being  now  sensible  that  my  continuance  here  was  re- 
quired for  a  longer  season,  I  became  very  thoughtful, 
lest  I  had  been  mistaken  in  supposing  I  had  obtained  the 


28  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

knowledge  of  my  diviue  Master's  will,  respecting  my 
learning  the  languages, kc,  and  was  brought  into  a  strict 
examination,  whether  I  was  in  the  way  of  njy  duty  in 
^making  the  attempt;  for  I  had  now  a  clearer  sight  that 
human  learning  was  insufficient  to  prepare  for  the  minis- 
jtry  of  the  Gospel  than  I  had  before.  Being  humbled, 
and  self  entirely  reduced,  I  was  willing,  if  I  could  dis- 
cover that  my  attempt  was  wrong,  to  acknowledge  my 
fault  to  him  who  knoweth  all  things;  repent  of  my  rash- 
ness; and  confess  my  error  ;  especially  to  those  to  whom 
I  had  made  known  my  intentions  on  the  subject.  I  had 
told  some  of  my  companions  that  I  saw  it  my  duty  to  ac- 
quire learning  ;  and  some  considerable  time  before  there 
was  any  probability  of  it,  I  had  gone  so  far  as  to  say  that 
I  should  obtain  it.  If,  therefore,  I  had  been  mistaken, 
there  was  now  great  need  of  my  knowing  it,  and  making 
proper  acknowledgments  on  every  hand  ;  and  to  be  more 
careful  in  future,  not  too  easily  to  take  anything  for 
granted,  and  then  report  it  as  a  certainty.  Puring 
this  sickness,  which  continued  about  three  weeks,  I  earn- 
estly desired  that  I  might  receive  wisdom,  to  direct  me 
in  a  way  acceptable  to  the  Lord ;  and  although  I  had  a 
strong  desire  for  the  acquisition  of  knowledge,  yet  I  was 
willing  to  submit  to  the  disposing  hand  of  Providence ; 
and  durst  not  ask  for]anything  but  with  entire  submission 
to  the  Divine  will ;  being  sensible  that  if  I  obtained  it 
in  any  other  disposition,  a  blessing  would  not  attend  it. 
At  length,  being  on  the  recovery,  and  very  much  exercised 
in  mind  on  the  subject,  I  had,  one  morning,  as  I  lay  in 
bod,  such  a  clear  manifestation  of  the  Divine  will  thereon, 
as  left  no  doubts  on  my  mind  respecting  the  course  T 
ought  to  pursue ;  and  so  I  proceeded  to  prepare  for  ad- 
mission into  college. 

After  this  I  soon  recovered  and  went  to  the  teacher  at 
Danby,  of  whom  I  had  heard  so  good  a  character,  as  be- 
fore mentioned.  I  was  well  satisfied  with  him,  as  I 
believe  he  was  with  me.  He  was  a  religious,  tender  spi- 
rited man  ;  and,  I  believe,    ''  a  lover  of  good  men,"    in 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  29 

the  apostle's  sense.  After  I  h.ad  been  with  him  some 
time,  one  of  his  congregation  said  to  him,  "  I  understand 
you  have  a  heretic  with  you,  prepariiif];  for  admission  into 
college. '^  He  replied,  "  I  wish  all  my  congregation 
where  such  heretics  as  he  is."  To  which  his  neighbor 
made  no  reply.  Tliis  he  told  me  himself  soon  after  it  oc- 
curred. I  stayed  with  him  six  months,  when  his  other 
scholars  left  him  ;  and  as  it  did  not  suit  him  to  attend 
on  me  alone,  I  went  to  one  llobert  Trett,  at  New-Mil- 
ford,  and  spent  about  six  months  with  him  j  when  he 
thought  me  sufficiently  learned  for  admission  into  col- 
lege. Accordingly  I  went  there,  passed  an  examination 
in  relation  to  my  learning,  and  was  admitted  without  any 
mention  of  heresy. 

After  my  admission  I  endeavored  to  keep  humble  and 
to  live  in  the  Lord's  fear,  so  as  to  be  a  pattern  of  lowli- 
ness of  mind.  I  was  desirous  to  be  serviceable  to  man- 
kind, and  endeavored  to  keep  to  that  which  alone  could 
qualify  for  it. 

Here  I  think  proper  to  remark,  that  in  one  respect  I 
was  apt  to  err,  until  experience  taught  me  better.  This 
was  in  talking  too  much  about  religion  in  my  own  Avill 
and  time.  At  length  I  found  it  tended  to  poverty;  and 
I  learned,  when  in  company,  not  to  be  forward  to  enter 
into  any  discourse  concerning  religion,  or  any  other  sub- 
ject; but  to  be  content  to  keep  silence  and  be  esteemed  a 
fool;  until  Truth  arose,  a  subject  clearly  presented,  and 
liberty  was  given  for  conversation.  Then  I  found  a  quali- 
fication to  speak  to  the  edification  of  others,  and  my  own 
peace  and  satisfaction.  I  mention  this  for  the  benefit  of 
others ;  being  convinced  that  many  who  have  had  expe- 
rience of  the  Truth,  and  have  in  some  degree  witnessed 
a  change  of  heart,  have  talked  so  much  on  religious  sub- 
jects, that  their  souls  have  become  barren ;  so  as  scarcely 
to  know  when  good  cometh. 

Now,  as  I  dwelt  under  a  humble  sense  of  my  own  no- 
thingness, and  sought  for  the  direction  of  Truth,  1  found 
the  Lord  to  be  near  by  his  Spirit,  to  instruct  me  in  all 
3* 


30  MEMOmS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

things  necessary  to  be  known  ;  which  were  clearly  mani- 
fested from  time  to  time,  as  I  was  able  to  bear  them. 

At  my  entrance  into  college  my  principles  generally 
corresponded  with  those  held  by  the  Presbyterians.  But 
I  now  began  to  think  it  was  time  to  examine  for  myself, 
and  no  longer  trust  in  the  judgment  of  my  forefathers. 
I  found  it  necessary  to  subject  my  principles  and  practices 
to  a  strict  scrutiny,  because  I  began  to  be  doubtful  of 
^some  of  them.  But  I  was  convinced  that,  as  a  rational 
creature,  simply  considered,  without  a  divine  instructor, 
I  was  not  competent  to  the  undertaking.  I  clearly  per- 
ceived that  all  right  understanding  in  spiritual  concerns 
must  proceed  from  the  immediate  revelation  of  the  Holy 
Spirit,  and  that  we  could  not  come  to  the  knowledge  of 
Jjrod,  nor  of  any  thing  relating  to  his  kingdom,  without  it. 

This  belief  was  very  different  from  that  held  by  the 
people  I  made  profession  with,  so  that  I  had  no  assistance 
from  them.  On  the  contrary,  their  conversation,  their 
preaching  and  their  books  were  against  me.  I  had  no 
outward  help  but  the  Bible,  and  that  I  could  not  under- 
stand without  Divine  assistance.  There  were  no  people 
with  whom  I  was  acquainted  who  believed  in  the  light  of 
Christ  within  as  I  did  ;  so  that  I  had  none  to  look  to  for 
instruction,  in  any  difficulty,  but  to  Him.  But  being  very 
desirous  to  know  the  truth  in  all  things,  I  made  applica- 
tion to  Him  who  I  believe  to  be  the  only  teacher  of  his 
people ;  and  as  I  waited  upon  him  for  instruction,  my  un- 
derstanding was  gradually  enlightened,  so  as  to  perceive 
many  errors  in  my  former  creed,  and  to  discover  the  truth 
in  opposition  to  the  doctrines  of  my  education. 

That  which  stood  most  in  my  way,  and  appeared  to  be 
a  grievous  hardship  to  mankind,  as  well  as  a  great  dis- 
honor to  a  just  and  righteous  God,  was  their  uncondi- 
tional election  and  reprobation ;  which  would,  according 
to  their  apprehension  of  it,  shut  out  the  chief  part  of 
mankind  from  all  hope  of  mercy ;  as  they  believed  they 
were  the  Lord's  only  people,  and  that  but  few  of  others 
were  within  the  pale  of  election.     Yet  I  believe  there 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  31 

were  some  aiuongst  them  who  had  a  more  extensive  cha- 
rity. I  was  much  concerned  on  this  subject ;  and  being 
earnestly  desirous  to  discover  the  truth,  it  pleased  the  "* 
Lord  to  open  my  understanding  clearly  to  perceive  the 
error  of  this  doctrine ;  and  I  was  enabled  to  believe  that 
Christ,  who  ''gave  himself  a  ransom  for  all,"  would  ''have 
all  men  to  be  saved,  and  come  to  the  knowledge  of  thcj 
truth.'' 

I  rejoiced  in  this  discovery ;  and  when  I  was  fully  con- 
vinced of  my  former  error  on  this  subject,  I  proposed,  for 
the  consideration  of  one  of  my  fellow  students,  whether 
we  had  not  been  mistaken  in  that  point  of  belief  We 
reasoned  on  the  question  many  times,  until  he  vi^as  almost 
convinced  that  we  had  been  in  error  on  this  subject.  He 
did  not  then  know  that  my  sentiments  were  different 
from  his  own,  but  supposed  that  I  proposed  the  question 
only  for  the  sake  of  argument,  and  to  hear  what  could  be 
said  for  and  agaiinst  it.  I  purposely  hid  my  real  belief 
from  him,  apprehending  it  not  prudent  at  that  time  to 
discover  my  genuine  sentiments. 

By  the  time  we  were  willing  to  close  the  debate  on  that 
subject  I  had  something  new  to  propose,  and  as  strange 
as  new  to  my  opponent.  When  we  were  at  leisure  from 
our  studies,  we  entered  into  debate  upon  it ;  and  so,  from 
time  to  time,  we  reasoned  the  point  till  we  were  willing 
to  leave  it.  Thus,  as  things  opened  to  my  view,  and  my 
mind  became  clear  in  any  point  of  doctrine  in  opposition 
to  my  former  belief,  I  proposed  it  for  his  consideration ; 
and  so  we  reasoned  upon  it  as  long  as  we  thought  expe- 
dient. Thus  we  proceeded  from  time  to  time,  debating 
on  divers  points  of  doctrine,  until  my  opponent  was  partly 
convinced  of  the  truths  I  advanced,  and  became  satisfied 
that  I  believed  in  the  doctrines  I  produced  for  his  con- 
sideration. But  as  I  thought  it  not  a  proper  time  to 
make  my  opinions  public,  I  advised  him  not  to  expose 
them  at  present ;  to  which  he  consented.  We  spent  our 
leisure  time,  for  two  or  three  years,  in  discussing  religious 


62  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

subjects,  new  to  Lira,  and  I  but  recently  convinced  of 
the  truth  of  them, 

I  had  before  this  period  heard  of  a  people  called 
Quakers,  but  was  unacquainted  with  any  of  them.  As  I 
had  never  seen  any  of  their  writings,  I  knew  not  what 
doctrines  they  held,  but  ascribe  all  my  knowledge  in  di- 
vine things  to  the  inward  manifestations  of  grace  and 
truth,  the  teaching  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  It  was  Christ, 
the  light  of  the  world,  the  life  of  men,  who  opened  to  me 
the  scriptures,  and  gave  me  a  discerning  of  their  mean- 
ing ;  and  as  I  was  faithful  and  obedient  to  the  pointings 
of  Truth,  I  was  favored  with  further  and  clearer  discove- 
ries thereof.  In  this  state  I  felt  desirous  that  others 
should  come  to  be  acquainted  with  it,  and  continued  to 
give  to  my  fellow  student  aforementioned  my  views  on  the 
various  subjects  that  presented.  ^Ye  reasoned  on  them, 
as  they  were  brought  under  consideration,  until  we  had 
discussed  the  principal  disputable  points  of  doctrine.  I 
do  not  remember  that  we  omitted  any  thing  that  Robert 
Barclay  had  treated  as  a  doctrinal  point,  although,  at 
that  time,  I  had  not  seen  any  of  his  writings,  nor  ever 
heard  of  them  as  I  remember. 

I  have  mentioned  these  things  to  show  that,  according  to 
Christ's  declaration,  ^'If  any  man  will  do  his  will  he  shall 
know  of  the  doctrine,  whether  it  be  of  God  ;"*  and  that 
^' we  need  not  that  any  man  teach  us,  but  as  the  anointing 
teacheth  us  of  all  things. "f 

Though  we  had  debated  all  those  points  as  before  re- 
lated, yet,  at  leisure  hours,  we  again  discussed  them,  and 
became  much  of  one  sentiment  on  the  various  subjects, 
as  will  appear  when  I  come  to  relate  the.  particulars  of 
our  final  separation. 

By  this  time  I  had  some  view  of  a  fiilse  ministry  and 
a  false  worship,  which  had  been  introduced  into  almost 
all  the  churches  of  professing  Christians  with  which  I  was 
acquainted ;  but  my  sight  in  these  two  particulars  was  not 

*  John  vii.  17.  f  1  John  ii.  27. 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  33 

SO  clear  as  it  was  in  many  others  which  we  had  debated. 
Although  I  perceived  a  defect  in  the  mioistry,  yet  I  did 
not  then  see  that  it  was  altogether  wrong,  nor  did  I  then 
know  that  it  was  wholly  of  the  "  letter  that  killeth  ;"  but 
afterwards  I  obtained  a  clearer  sight  and  knowledge 
thereof.  At  this  time  I  thought  as  a  child  and  understood 
as  a  child,  with  regard  to  these  subjects.  And  this  was 
also  my  state  respecting  divine  worship.  I  did  not  clearly 
perceive  that  all  worship  performed  in  the  will  of  the 
creature,  and  without  the  immediate  assistance  of  the 
Holy  Spirit,  was  truly  will-worship  and  idolatry.  But  in 
process  of  time  I  clearly  perceived  that  this  was  the  case. 
After  our  minds  were  satisfied  on  these  points,  I  first  met 
with  Barclay's  Apology.  But  I  must  now  leave  my  class- 
mate and  our  discussions  and  go  back  a  little). 

When  I  had  been  at  college  about  a  year,  the  rector,"i 
or  chief  ruler,  sent  for  me  to  his  house,  in  order  to  con- 
verse with  me  concerning  those  reports  that  had  been 
circulated  of  my  being  a  heretic.  After  I  had,  at  his  re- 
quest, seated  myself  by  him,  he  told  me  he  had  a  desire 
to  hear,  from  my  own  inouth,  an  account  of  my  state, 
adding,  that  it  was  not  from  any  dissatisfaction  in  his 
own  mind  concerning  me,  for  he  was  well  pleased  with 
my  conduct  since  I  became  one  of  iheir  members ;  that 
he  believed  the  reports  were  chiefly  owing  to  misappre- 
hension, ignorance  and  ill-will  ;  and  that  he  wished  to 
know  from  me  the  grounds  of  it.  This  was  the  substance 
of  his  communication.  I  replied,  that  if  he  would  be 
pleased  to  have  patience  with  me,  I  would  give  him  a 
plain  account,  and  be  as  brief  as  I  well  might,  to  be  in- 
telligible. I  gave  him  a  relation  of  my  first  setting  out 
on  my  religious  journey  ;  of  my  travels,  exercises  and  ex- 
perience to  that  day,  which  took  up  about  an  hour  and  a 
half,  as  I  supposed.  He  was  all  this  time  very  quiet  and 
attentive,  not  giving  me  the  least  interruption.  I  thought 
he  listened  with  much  satisfaction.  When  I  had  con- 
cluded we  sat  silent  for  some  time.     He  seemed  to  be  sOj 


34  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

mucli  affected  that  be  could  not  easily  speak.  After  re- 
covering, he  said,  "  Ferris,  I  bless  God  for  giving  you 
eyes  to  see  what  you  see."  He  said  nothing  more  to  me, 
except  just  to  inform  me  that  be  was  well  satisfied  with 
that  opportunity,  and  so  dismissed  me. 

I  do  not  know  that  I  concealed  from  him  any  of  the 
principles  I  held  at  the  time  referred  to,  when  I  was 
called  a  heretic ;  but  I  did  not  unfold  to  him  all  my  views 
at  the  time  I  was  speaking,  being  sensible  he  could  not 
bear  it.  He  was  a  sincere  professor  and  a  lover  of  good 
men,  and  afterwards  showed  a  kind  regard  for  me  ;  say- 
ing more  in  my  favor  than  I  apprehended  I  deserved,  al- 
though not  more  than  he  believed  to  be  true.  And  this 
was  the  case  with  many  others  whose  expectations  of  my 
future  usefulness  had  by  some  means  been  raised  ;  in  con- 
sequence of  whicb  I  was  much  esteemed  by  the  m.ost 
worthy  class  of  people  ;  but  being  kept  humble  and  low 
in  my  mind,  and  seeing  my  own  weakness  and  infirmity, 
I  was  preserved  from  the  snares  of  popularity,  although 
they  made  my  trials  the  greater,  as  will  appear  in  the  proper 
place. 

After  this  interview  with  the  rector  I  resumed  my 
studies,  which  I  pursued  with  diligence,  being  desirous  to 
be  found  in  the  way  of  my  duty  in  every  respect,  that  a 
blessing  might  attend  my  undertaking.  I  was  careful  of 
my  thoughts,  words  and  actions,  endeavoring  to  be  ex- 
emplary and  serviceable  to  all  about  me. 

I  now  became  increasingly  thoughtful  on  religious  sub- 
jects. The  doctrines  I  had  been  taught,  and  the  way  of 
worship  in  which  I  had  been  educated,  were  subjects  of 
anxious  concern.  I  was  desirous  to  ascertain  whether 
they  would  bear  a  strict  scrutiny.  On  trial  I  found  them 
defective ;  and  hence  arose  the  many  debates  I  had  with 
my  class-mate,  as  before  related. 

About  the  middle  of  the  last  year  of  my  residence  at 
the  college,  I  met  with  Barclay's  Apology ;  and  after 
reading  it  I  let  my  class-mate  also  peruse  it,  with  whom 
I  had  before  discussed  the  doctrines  there  treated  of.  He 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  35 

read  the  ^ork  attentively,  and  made  little  or  no  objection 
to  it,  but  told  me  Barclay's  arguments  were  unanswerable. 
Several  other  thoughtful  scholars,  to  whom  I  lent  the 
book,  after  they  had  read  it,  made  the  same  acknowledge- 
ment, with  very  little  objection  or  opposition  to  the  rea- 
soning of  its  author. 

I  continued  at  the  college  until  near  the  time  for  taking 
my  degrees ;  and  being  convinced  of  the  errors  of  my  edu- 
cation relating  to  the  doctrines  we  held  and  the  worship 
we  performed,  I  apprehended  it  was  time  to  consider  what 
was  best  for  me  to  do ;  and  being  favored  to  see  that  a 
qualification  or  commission  derived  from  man  was  not 
sufficient  for  the  gospel  ministry,  I  concluded  not  to  take 
their  degrees,  nor  depend  upon  their  authority. 

Although  I  agreed  with  Barclay  on  doctrinal  subjects, 
yet  I  knew  not  that  I  could  join  with  the  Quakers,  or 
any  other  people  with  which  I  was  acquainted.  1  still 
continued  a  member  of  the  Presbyterian  society,  attended 
their  meetings,  and  partook  of  their  bread  and  wine.  But 
I  was  not  free  to  sing  with  them,  not  having  been,  for 
some  time  before,  in  a  condition  to  sing ;  besides,  it  did^ 
not  appear  to  me  an  acceptable  sacrifice,  or  any  thing  like 
divine  worship,  for  a  mixed  multitude  to  sing  that  of 
which  they  knew  nothing  by  experience.  My  exercisej 
of  mind  daily  increased;  for  now  the  time  was  near  at 
hand  in  which  I  must  leave  them.  This  was  a  day  of 
trial ;  for,  although  at  the  commencement  of  my  religious 
progress,  I  had  forsaken  all  the  youthful  delights  and 
vanities  with  which  I  had  been  diverted,  and  had  been 
enabled  to  trample  them  all  under  my  feet,  expecting 
never  again  to  encounter  sucb  difficulties;  yet,  now  I 
found  that  self  was  not  sufficiently  mortified  in  me.  To^ 
be  brought  down  from  the  pinnacle  of  honor;  to  be  es- 
teemed a  fool ;  to  be  trampled  under  foot  by  high  and  low, 
rich  and  poor,  learned  and  unlearned,  was  hard  to  bear^i 
As  I  observed  before,  I  had  been  much  esteemed,  though, 
as  I  was  sensible,  more  than  I  deserved.  I  knew  the 
people  had  undue  expectations  of  my  future  usefulness,j 


86  MEMOIRS   or   DAVID   FERRIS. 

and  that  if  I  left  the  college,  as  I  thought  it  my  duty  to 
do,  my  credit  would  sink,  and  my  honors  be  laid  in  the 
dust ;  and  then,  instead  of  being  caressed  and  exalted,  I 
must  be  neglected  and  despised. 

But  I  had  other  difficulties  to  encounter.  My  father 
looked  forward  with  hope  that  I  would  be  an  honor  to 
him  and  his  family.  He  had  promised  to  set  me  out  in 
the  world  in  the  best  manner  his  circumstances  would 
admit.  I  knew,  that  if  T  were  obedient  to  my  convictions 
of  duty,  he  would  regard  it  as  a  disgrace  to  my  family 
and  connexions;  and  would  be  more  likely  to  turn  me 
out  of  his  house,  than  in  any  way  to  assist  me.  Besides, 
I  had  heard  of  a  vacancy  for  a  minister,  and  that  the 
people  were  waiting  for  me  to  occupy  it.  The  congrega- 
tion was  numerous  ;  a  larger  salary  was  offered  than  any 
I  knew  of  in  that  part  of  the  country ;  and  I  was  informed 
that  the  rulers  of  the  college  had  been  consulted  on  the 
occasion. 

Here,  if  I  complied  with  my  sense  of  duty,  I  must 
''  take  up  the  cross,"  and  turn  out  naked  into  the  world, 
for  I  had  very  little  property  of  my  own,  none  to  expect 
from  my  father,  and  no  salary  to  support  me.  3Iany 
would  regard  me  as  the  off-scouring  of  all  things,  fit  for 
nothing, 

I  labored  under  a  lively  sense  of  all  these  difficulties. 
Poverty  and  disgrace  stared  me  in  the  face ;  and,  as  I 
had  none  but  the  Lord  to  whom  I  could  make  known  my 
distress  and  discouragements ;  nor  any  other  of  whom  to 
ask  counsel;  I  cried  to  him  incessantly  for  wisdom, 
strength  and  fortitude ;  that  I  might  be  favored  with  a 
clear  discovery  of  my  duty,  and  enabled  faithfully  to  obey 
him  in  all  things. 

At  this  time,  my  trials  and  difficulties  were  so  numer- 
ous, that  I  was  ready  to  conclude  with  Job.  that  T  should 
*'die  in  my  nest."  I  feared  I  should  never  be  able  to 
resign  all  my  interest,  honor  and  credit  in  the  world; 
submit  to  a  state  of  poverty  ;  and  incur  the  disgrace  of  a 
reputed  heretic!     These  difficulties  were  presented  to  my 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  37 

\iew,  and  magnified  to  the  highest  degree  that  any  one 
can  imagine.  In  the  height  of  my  distress  I  entered  my 
closet  or  study,  and  thus  poured  out  my  complaint  before 
the  Lord  :  "0  Lord  !  I  know  not  what  to  do,  in  this  day 
of  deep  distress  and  anxiety  of  soul.  I  am  not  sulh- 
ciently  clear  respecting  my  duty  in  the  undertaking  and 
execution  of  an  affair  of  so  much  importance.  All  that 
I  have  in  this  world  that  is  valuable,  and  my  everlasting 
happiness  also,  is  now  at  stake." 

My  present  situation  appeared  so  important,  that  if  I 
mistook  my  course,  and  took  a  wrong  direction,  all  might 
be  lost  forever.  If  I  should  be  led  by  a  spirit  of  error 
and  confusion,  I  might  offend  my  Maker  and  my  fellow- 
creatures;  forever  remain  in  a  dark  wilderness  ;  and  never 
be  restored  to  favor  with  God  or  good  men. 

Darkness  prevailed  over  me  so  far  at  that  time,  that  I 
seemed  to  be  placed  in  the  situation  of  John  the  Baptist, 
when  he  sent  two  of  his  disciples  to  inquire  of  Christ, 
*'  Art  thou  he  that  should  come,  or  look  we  for  another  ?  " 
— I  was  almost  ready  to  despair,  and  to  conclude  that  I 
was  altogether  wrong  in  proposing  to  take  a  step  so  con- 
trary to  reason,  as  this  now  appeared  to  be.  Thus  I 
poured  forth  my  complaint,  and  mourned  before  the  Lord. 
I  had  none  to  depend  upon  but  him,  nor  any  other  of 
whom  to  ask  counsel  in  my  distressed  circumstances.  My 
dependance  was  wholly  on  him  for  wisdom  and  direction, 
in  this  trying  and  afflicting  situation. 

It  is  difficult  to  conceive,  and  not  in  my  power  to  express, 
the  anxiety  of  my  mind  in  this  proving  season  ;  for  every 
thing  valuable  seemed  in  danger  of  being  totally  lost. 
Nevertheless,  I  cried  to  the  Lord  for  help;  and  covenanted 
with  him,  that  if  he  would  be  pleased  to  direct  me  in  the 
way  which  would  be  safe  for  me  to  pursue,  manifest  bis 
will  therein,  and  afford  me  assistance  to  perform  my 
duties,  I  would  resign  all  to  his  disposal;  obey  his  will; 
no  longer  reason  with  flesh  and  blood;  but  trust  lo  his 
providence  for  support  and  credit  in  the  world ;  and  for 
everythinG:  else  he  might  deem  best  and  most  convenient 
4 


38  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID    FERRIS. 

for  me.  For  I  was  row  clearly  convinced,  that  if  I  did 
not  resign  everythino;,  when  it  was  evidently  manifested 
to  be  my  duty,  I  had  nothing  to  expect  but  death,  as  to 
my  spiritual  condition. 

Whilst  T  was  thus  bemoaning  my  condition  before  the 
Lord  ;  waiting  upon  him  for  direction,  with  ardent  prayers 
for  his  assistance  and  wisdom  to  guide  me  in  the  right 
way,  he  was  graciously  pleased  to  show  me  that  he  was 
about  to  bring  the  church  out  of  the  wilderness,  or  wan- 
dering state  in  which  she  had  long  been  destitute  of  the 
true  leader.  And  he  made  it  clearly  known  to  me  that 
it  was  his  will  I  should  go  forth,  and  be  an  instrument 
in  his  hand  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  design. 

As  soon  as  I  was  satisfied  on  these  points,  I  reasoned 
not  with  flesh  and  blood,  but  immediately  gave  up  to  the 
heavenly  vision.  I  then  went  to  the  chief  ruler  of  the 
college,  and  obtained  his  permission  to  go  home;  but  I 
told  no  one  my  reasons  for  this  procedure. 

This  was  a  trying  time.  I  was  about  to  take  an  im- 
portant step.  Like  Gideon,  I  was  desirous  to  *'  turn  the 
fleece ;  to  wait  in  retirement  for  wisdom,  maturely  to 
consider  this  weighty  undertaking,  which  now  pressed 
heavily  on  my  mind.  After  staying  at  home  about  three 
weeks,  the  will  of  my  divine  Master,  relating  to  my  re- 
moval from  college,  was  satisfactorily  manifested.  With- 
out making  known  my  purpose,  I  returned  to  the  college 
and  settled  my  afl"airs,  in  order  to  leave  it.  Whilst  I 
was  preparing  to  depart,  a  report  was  spread  among  the 
scholars  that  I  was  turned  Quaker,  and  was  going  to 
leave  them.  Yet  I  did  not  hear  that  any  of  them  ut- 
tered a  hard  or  railing  word  against  me.  The  rector, 
Elisha  Williams,  took  an  opportunity  to  converse  with 
me.  He  was  very  moderate,  but  said  he  was  sorry  for 
my  conclusion  ;  that,  heretofore,  he  had  entertained  a 
good  opinion  of  me,  and  an  expectation  that  I  would  be 
useful  in  my  day;  but  now  his  hopes  were  in  great 
measure  frustrated.  We  had  much  converjiation  on  the 
subject;  he  signified  he  did  not  give  me  up  for  lost.  He 
appeared  serious,  and  we  parted  good  friends. 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  39 

As  the  time  for  my  departure  drew  near,  being  wholly 
resigned  to  the  Lord's  will,  the  cloud  was  removed  from 
my  tabernacle ;  my  sight  was  clear ;  my  courage  re- 
turned ;  and  the  mountains,  whose  tops  so  lately  ap- 
peared to  reach  the  clouds,  where  all  laid  as  level  as  a 
plain  ;  the  sea  was  driven  back ;  so  that  there  was  noth- 
ing to  interrupt  my  passage.  I  went  over  all,  as  on  dry 
land,  and  not  a  dog  was  suiFered  to  move  a  tongue  against 
me.  Then  was  my  soul  filled  with  living  praise;  thanks- 
giving and  rejoicing  in  the  Lord ;  who  had  triumphed 
gloriously.  He  was  my  strength,  my  song,  and  my  sal- 
vation. The  deeps  covered  my  enemies ;  they  sank  to 
the  bottom  as  a  stone.  The  right  hand  of  the  Lord  was 
glorious  in  power ;  and  I  sang  his  praises ;  for  he  was 
worthy ;  having  done  great  things  for  me. 

Before  I  left  college  I  told  the  rector  of  my  intentions, 
and  that  I  did  not  know  that  I  should  return;  but  if  I 
should  change  my  mind,  and  wish  to  take  a  degree,  if  it 
would  be  permitted,  perhaps  I  might  come  back  for  that 
purpose :  if  I  should  conclude  not  to  return,  I  would 
write  to  him  and  give  him  my  reasons  for  such  conclu- 
sion. He  replied,  and  told  me  I  should  be  welcome  to  a 
degree ;  and  that  it  would  give  them  pleasure  to  grant 
me  one. 

While  I  was  preparing  for  my  journey,  my  class-mate, 
before  mentioned,  being  desirous  to  ride  one  day  with  me, 
obtained  permission.  The  rector  told  him,  that  I  might, 
perhaps,  instil  bad  principles  into  him,  and  lead  him 
astray.  To  which  my  friend  replied,  "  I  have  lived  a 
great  part  of  the  time  since  I  came  to  the  college  with 
him,  and  I  believe  he  has  done  me  no  harm  ;  but  contra- 
riwise." Then,  having  bidden  them  all  farewell,  we  de- 
parted. 

I  thought  it  a  favor  that  one  of  my  fellows  who  was  in 
good  credit,  and  esteemed  none  of  the  least  in  the  college, 
should  be  willing  so  far  to  take  up  the  cross,  as  to  ac- 
company me,  who  was  deemed  a  heretic,  a  Quaker,  or 
they  knew  not   what ;  but  feeling  a  degree  of  lovo  for 


40  MEMOIRS   OF    DAYID    FERRIS. 

me,  it  made  him  fearless  of  shame  or  any  disgrace  that 
might  ensue. 

As  we  rode  along,  we  discussed  all  the  doctrines  which 
we  had  formerly  debated ;  and  he  appeared  almost  as 
much  convinced  of  the  truth  of  my  sentiments  as  I  was. 
Near  night,  when  we  were  about  to  separate,  he  said, 
"  Ferris,  I  believe  you  are  right  in  leaving  the  college.  I 
believe  your  principles  are  sound  and  good ;  but  I  do  not 
see,  at  present,  that  I  am  called  to  do  as  you  have  done. 
If,  at  any  time  hereafter,  I  should  see  it  to  be  my  duty 
to  follow  your  example,  I  purpose  to  have  no  will  of  my 
own  ;  but  submit  and  obey  the  will  of  my  Master."  We 
bade  each  other  farewell,  and  I  saw  him  no  more;  but  I 
afterwards  heard  that  to  follow  my  example  was  a  cross 
too  heavy  for  him  to  bear.  He  took  to  preaching  for  a 
living  among  the  Presbyterians  ;  and  never  left  them  to 
my  knowledge. 

After  I  had  parted  with  my  companion,  I  went  on  to 
New-Milford,  where  my  parents  and  relations  resided. 
About  three  weeks  afterwards,  I  went  to  a  Yearly  Meeting 
of  the  people  called  Quakers,  or  Long- Island  ;  in  order 
to  discover  whether  they  were  a  living  people  or  not ;  for 
a  living  people  I  wished  to  find.  I  had  thought  for  seve- 
ral years  before  that  there  ought  to  be  such  a  people  ;  a 
people  who  had  life  in  them,  and  abounded  in  love  to 
each  other,  as  did  the  primitive  Christians ;  a  people  who 
knew  they  had  passed  from  death  unto  life,  by  their  love 
to  the  brethren.  Here  I  gathered  strength,  and  was 
more  confirmed  that  I  was  right  in  leaving  the  college ; 
for  I  found  a  living,  humble,  heavenly  minded  people  ; 
full  of  love  and  good  works ;  such  a  one  as  I  had  never 
seen  before.  I  rejoiced  to  find  that  which  I  had  been 
seeking;  and  soon  owned  them  to  be  the  Lord's  people; 
the  trne  church  of  Christ;  according  to  his  own  descrip- 
tion of  it ;  where  he  says,  "  By  this  shall  all  men  know 
that  ye  are  my  disciples,  if  ye  love  one  another."  I  also 
fouHd  they  held  and  believed  the  same  doctrines,  the 
truth  of  which  had  been  manifested  to  me  immediately 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  41 

by  the  Holy  Spirit,  lieinpj  the  same  that  llobert  Bur- 
clay  had  laid  down  and  well  defended  in  his  Apolo<;y. 
Before  I  had  read  this  work,  I  did  not  know  there  was  a 
people  on  earth  who  believed  and  lived  in  the  truth,  as 
described  by  Barclay  ;  but  here  I  found  a  numerous  so- 
ciety who  held  the  same  truths,  and  lived  an  humble, 
self-denyiug  life ;  becoming  the  character  of  Christians. 
I  was  indubitably  satistied  that  their  worship  was  in  spi- 
rit and  in  truth  ;  and  they  such  worshipers  as  the  Father 
sought  and  owned.  I  was  convinced,  beyond  a  doubt, 
that  they  preached  the  gospel  in  the  demonstration  of  the 
spirit ;  and  divine  authority  was  felt  to  attend  their  min- 
istry. They  were  not  like  the  scribes,  to  whom  I  hud 
been  listening  all  my  life  ;  who  had  neither  commission 
nor  authority,  except  that  which  was  received  from  man  ; 
being  such  as  the  Lord  never  sent ;  and  therefore  could 
not  proSt  the  people  they  professed  to  teach.  I  now  clearly 
saw  the  difference  between  man-made  ministers,  and  those 
whom  the  Lord  qualifies  and  sends  into  his  harvest  field; 
the  difiference  between  the  wheat  and  the  chaff;  and  it 
was  marvellous  to  me,  to  reflect  how  long  I  had  sat  under  a 
formal,  dry  and  lifeless  ministry. 

At  the  meeting  before  mentioned,  there  were  several 
eminent  ministers  from  Europe,  both  male  and  female.  I 
there  heard  women  preach  the  gospel,  in  the  divine  au- 
thority of  Truth ;  far  exceeding  all  the  learned  rabbies  I 
had  known.  This  was  not  so  strange  to  me  as  it  might 
have  been  to  others;  fori  had  before  seen,  by  the  im-J 
mediate  manifestation  of  grace  and  truth,  that  women, 
as  well  as  men,  might  be  clothed  with  gospel  power  ;  and 
that  daughters  as  well  as  sons,  under  the  gospel  dispensa- 
tion, were  to  have  the  spirit  poured  upon  them,  that  they 
might  prophecy ;  and  though  I  had  never  before  heard  a 
woman  preach,  yet  I  now  rejoiced  to  see  the  prophecy 
fulfilled. 

After  I  returned  home  from  the  yearly  meeting,  I  wrote 
a  letter  to  the  Hector  of  the  college,  informing  him  that  I 
had  determined  not  to  return  ;  and  that  I  could  not,  with 
4* 


42  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

freedom,  take  any  authority  that  man  could  give.  I  also 
informed  him,  that  since  I  left  them,  I  had  heard  women 
preach  the  gospel  far  better  than  any  learned  man  I  had 
ever  heard. 

Having  now  left  the  college,  and  separated  myself  from 
the  people  with  whom  I  had  been  educated,  I  saw  great 
cause  of  thankfulness  to  the  Author  of  all  good,  who  had 
revealed  to  me  the  errors  of  my  youth,  and  the  falsity  of 
the  doctrines  imbibed  in  my  education ;  who  had  made 
known  to  me  his  truth  and  people,  so  that  I  had  no  doubts 
remaining.  It  now  became  my  principle  concern  that  I 
might  be  enabled  to  walk  in  the  truth,  and  witness  the 
Holy  Spirit  to  lead  me  on  my  way. 

In  this  state  I  admired  the  boundless  goodness,  the 
infinite  kindness  and  tender  mercy  of  a  gracious  God,  in 
effecting  my  late  deliverance  ;  especially  when  I  considered 
how  tempestuous  were  the  seas,  and  how  the  billows 
rolled  over  me;  how  the  mountains  of  opposition  raised 
their  lofty  heads  to  stop  my  passage  ;  and  again,  in  a  short 
time,  how  the  winds  and  seas  were  hushed  and  still ;  and 
how  the  mountains  became  a  perfect  plain  !  I  truly  found 
as  great  cause  to  sing  upon  the  banks  of  deliverance,  as 
Israel  did  of  old,  when  they  had  passed  through  the  sea 
on  dry  ground,  and  had  turned  about  and  seen  their  ene- 
mies dead  on  the  shore.  I  rejoiced  in  the  Lord  and  sang 
praises  to  Him,  who  for  me  had  done  marvellous  things ; 
who  had  made  me  acquainted  with  his  blessed  Truth,  and 
at  length  gave  me  ability  to  trample  the  world,  and  all 
its  riches,  honors  and  pleasures,  under  my  feet ;  to  sub- 
mit to  the  cross  of  Christ,  and  be  willing  to  be  accounted 
a  fool  of  all  men.  For  which  favors  I  felt  myself  under 
great  obligations  to  my  gracious  Benefactor. 

I  will  now  return  to  a  former  part  of  my  narrative,  and 
give  some  account  of  my  reception  by  my  relatives.  After 
I  had  parted  with  my  class-mate,  on  my  way  home  from 
college,  I  heard  that  ray  father  had  received  iutelligence 
of  my  intentions,  and  was  much  dissatisfied  with  my  pro- 
ceedings, saying,  "  If  the  accounts  I  have  heard  be  true, 


MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  43 

I  desire  he  may  never  come  to  my  house  again."  Being 
thus  informed,  I  went  to  my  brother's.  After  some  days 
I  went  to  see  my  father.  He  would  not  speak  to  me; 
but  turned  and  passed  away  without  taking  notice  of  me. 
In  a  few  days  afterwards  I  went  a  second  time;  but  he 
still  refused  to  speak  to  me.  After  a  few  days  I  went 
the  third  time,  and  met  him  at  the  door,  and  asked  after 
his  health,  at  the  same  time  pulling  off  my  hat,  (for  at 
that  time  I  was  not  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  bearing 
a  testimony  against  hat-honor ;)  he  replied,  he  was  not 
very  well,  and  passed  away.  I  then  went  into  the  house, 
and  my  ftither  returning,  we  sat  down  and  entered  into 
conversation.  He  said  he  had  heard  I  had  left  the  college 
and  turned  Quaker.  In  reply,  I  told  him  it  had  been 
my  endeavor,  for  some  years  past,  to  follow  my  divine 
Leader,  and  that  I  still  endeavored  to  attend  to  the  same 
Guide,  and  follow  whithersoever  he  might  lead  me  ;  that 
I  apprehended  he  had  led  me  to  leave  the  college,  and  for- 
sake the  way  of  my  education ;  and  it  was  possible  that 
the  same  Guide  might  some  time  lead  me  to  join  the 
people  called  Quakers ;  but  that,  as  yet,  I  knew  but  little 
of  them.  After  some  time  spent  in  conversation  of  this 
kind,  my  father  queried  wliat  need  there  was  to  forsake 
the  way  of  my  education  ;  "  for/'  said  he,  "  the  Lord  has 
favored  you,  and  been  with  you  in  the  Presbyterian  way; 
so  that  if  you  continue  to  fear  and  serve  him  in  that  way, 
you  may  do  well,  and  will,  no  doubt,  end  in  peace."  I 
answered,  it  was  true  I  had  been  much  favored  under  my 
former  profession  ;  the  Lord  had  been  near  me,  and  his 
living  presence  with  me.  He  had  led  and  guided  me  by 
his  good  Spirit,  and  had  revealed  his  will  to  me  far  be- 
yond any  thing  I  had  deserved,  or  could  have  expected ; 
and  I  still  desired  to  follow  that  Teacher  who  had  never 
led  me  astray,  but  had  brought  me,  step  by  step,  from  one 
degree  of  experience  to  another,  until  I  was  obliged  to 
leave  the  college,  and  bear  a  testimony  against  the  for- 
mal profession  I  had  made ;  and  thus  he  had  led  me  to 
the  present  time. 


44  MEMOIRS   OF  DAVID   FERRIS. 

Thus  we  conversed  for  some  hours;  my  father  raising 
objections  to  the  Quakers,  and  my  joining  with  them. 
But,  through  divine  assistance,  (with  which  I  think  I 
was  favored,)  I  was  enabled  fully  to  answer  all  his  objec- 
tions, so  that  he  was  willing  to  leave  the  subject,  and 
became  moderate,  and  apparently  more  easy  in  his  mind. 
From  that  time,  during  the  remainder  of  his  life,  although 
he  had  many  opportunities,  he  never  entered  into  any 
arguments  with  me  on  religious  subjects,  but  was  always 
kind  and  affectionate.  I  thought  he  concluded  I  might 
do  well  in  the  way  he  found  me,  and  so  remained  satis- 
fied. 

After  I  had  been  some  time  at  home,  new  objections 
arose  in  my  mind  against  a  compliance  with  the  customs 
of  those  among  whom  I  resided ;  such  as  bowing  and 
scraping ;  putting  off  the  hat ;  saying,  "  your  servant,  sir, 
madam,"  &c.,  and  against  using  the  ungrammatical,  cor- 
rupt language  of  "  you  "  to  a  single  person.  Although, 
in  past  years,  I  had  known  various  exercises,  and  thought 
I  had  learned  many  hard  lessons,  yet  I  found  much  in  me 
that  required  mortification,  and  that  I  yet  had  many 
things  to  learn.  To  refuse  the  use  of  the  plural  language 
to  a  single  person,  although  it  seemed  a  small  matter,  yet 
I  found  it  hard  to  submit  to  it.  I  was  convinced  that 
the  common  mode  of  speaking  in  the  plural  number  to  a 
single  person,  was  a  violation  of  the  rules  of  grammar, 
and  unscriptural.  I  also  believed  the  pride  of  man  had 
introduced  the  custom,  yet  I  thought  it  was  not  necessary 
to  make  myself  ridiculous  to  all  about  me  for  a  matter  of 
so  small  importance.  So  long,  therefore,  as  no  necessity 
was  laid  upon  me  to  take  up  the  cross  in  that  respect,  I 
continued  to  use  the  language  of  my  education.  Yet  I 
used  compliments  sparingly,  because  the  disuse  of  them 
was  not  so  observable.  However,  it  was  not  long  before 
I  found  it  my  duty  to  say  "  thee  "  and  "  thou  "  to  every 
individual.  Nevertheless,  I  found  an  inclination  or 
temptation  so  to  turn  the  conversation  as  to  shun  this 
mode  of  speech  ;  yet  this  did  not  afford  peace.     Small  as 


MEMOIRS  OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  45 

tho  matter  appcare(1,  I  could  not  be  easy  without  being 
entirely  faithful  in  every  respect;  and  my  duty  in  this 
particular  being  clearly  manifested,  I  reasoned  no  longer 
with  flesh  and  blood,  but  submitterl  to  the  requiring.  It 
was  a  rule  with  mc  to  do  nothing  of  this  kind  by  imita- 
tion ;  but,  when  any  thing  was  required  of  me,  to  submit; 
and  thus  I  obtained  peace. 

About  this  time,  several  scholars  coming  from  the  col- 
lege, invited  me  to  accompany  them  on  a  visit  to  the 
minister  in  our  settlement ;  and  accordingly  I  went  with 
them.  We  walked  with  our  hats  under  our  arms,  and  so 
entered  the  house.  Just  as  we  were  about  to  depart,  I 
was  required  to  bear  a  testimony  against  the  hat-honor. 
So  I  rose  put  on  my  hat,  went  to  the  priest,  and  bade  him 
farewell,  without  putting  my  hand  to  it  or  bowing  my 
body.  This  being  the  first  time  I  had  refused  these 
compliments,  it  was  a  close  trial ;  and  it  appeared  re- 
markable that  it  should  be  required  of  me  at  such  a  time 
and  in  such  a  company  ;  but  neither  the  priest  nor  my 
companions  took  notice  of  it,  so  as  to  make  any  remark. 
My  obedience  afforded  me  great  peace ;  and  by  yielding 
to  these  inward  motions  of  the  sure  Guide  in  small  things, 
T  gained  strength,  and  was  more  and  more  confirmed  that 
I  was  right  in  making  such  a  change. 

I  now  began  to  lay  aside  some  of  tho  superfluities  of 
my  dress,  and  to  appear  like  a  Qu;iker;  believing  it  was 
required  of  me  not  to  hide  myself  in  any  respect,  but 
boldly  to  bear  a  testimony  to  the  truth,  so  far  as  it  was 
clearly  manifested  to  me.  I  did  not  then  wonder  that 
people  admired  at  our  folly  (as  they  think  it  to  be)  in 
making  ourselves  a  laughing-stock  and  by-word,  by  our 
singularities  ;  because,  so  it  appeared  to  me  but  a  short 
time  before  I  was  obliged  to  submit  to  it.  I  loved  the 
honor  and  esteem  of  men  as  well  as  others,  and  would 
have  enjoyed  it,  if  I  could  have  had  it  with  peace  of 
mind  ;  but  that  is  not  allowed  in  the  school  of  Christ, 
where  nothing  will  do  without  self-denial  and  taking  up 
the  daily  cross ;  and  if,  on  our  part,  there  be  a  full  sub- 


46  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

mission  in  every  respect,  I  can  say  from  experience,  that 
our  peace  will  flow  as  a  river. 

Having  left  the  college  without  taking  a  degree,  it  was 
probable  I  should  have  no  salary  to  depend  on  for  sub- 
sistence. I  had  disobliged  my  father,  and  of  course  had 
nothing  to  expect  from  him,  and  I  had  but  little  of  my 
own  to  support  me.  And  now,  being  come  to  the  twenty- 
fifth  year  of  my  age,  I  began  to  think  it  necessary  to  use 
some  endeavors  to  obtain  a  livelihood.  I  had  for  several 
years  before  this  period  thought  I  should  go  to  reside  in 
Pennsylvania;  and  this  prospect  now  opened  so  clearly, 
that  I  was  inclined  to  believe  it  was  my  duty  to  go  there. 
I  according  made  ready  and  went,  in  company  with  three 
ministering  friends  from  Europe,  then  on  a  religious  visit 
to  America.  We  arrived  in  Philadelphia  about  the  middle 
of  the  Sixth  month,  1733. 

Here  ends  that  part  of  my  narrative  which  was  written 
in  my  youth  in  the  Latin  language. 

As  I  observed  before,  I  arrived  in  Philadelphia  in  1733. 
I  concluded  that  if  I  could  establish  myself  in  business 
that  would  be  likely  to  answer,  I  would,  for  some  time, 
make  the  city  my  residence.  After  the  Yearly  Meeting 
was  over,  and  I  had  become  a  little  acquainted  with 
Friends,  and  known  among  them,  I  proposed  to  open  a 
school,  to  teach  the  Latin  and  Greek  languages.  But, 
as  I  was  a  stranger,  and  those  children  that  were  intended 
to  be  taught  these  languages  were  mostly  entered  in  other 
schools,  I  was  doubtful  whether  I  should  be  able  to  get  a 
sufficient  number  of  such  scholars.  I  therefore  agreed  to 
teach  English  also;  aud,  in  time,  I  had  a  school,  of  both 
sexes,  sufficiently  large  for  my  support. 

Being  a  stranger,  I  ^consequently  met  with  trials  and 
difficulties.  For  a  while  my  school  was  small  and  not 
likely  to  support  me;  but  I  endeavored  to  be  resigned, 
and  repose  with  confidence  in  an  all-sufficient  Providence, 
from  whom  I  had  often  received  help  in  times  of  great 
trial.  My  difficulties  were  increased  by  the  low  state  of 
my  funds.     The  weather  was   now  beginning   to  grow 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  47 

cold.  It  was  customary  for  the  teacher  to  find  wood  for 
fuel,  and  for  the  scholars  to  pay  a  proportion  of  the  ex- 
pense when  they  paid  for  their  quarter's  tuition ;  and  as  I 
had  but  few  scholars,  and  no  money  yet  due,  and  not  two 
shillings  of  my  own  remaining,  I  was  very  thoughtful 
how  to  procure  wood.  No  one  knew  the  state  of  my 
purse,  nor  did  I  desire  to  make  it  known  ;  and  this  I 
should  do  if  I  attempted  to  borrow.  I  therefore  omitted 
to  buy  as  long  as  I  well  could.  I  did  not  like  to  ask  for 
credit,  and  if  I  did,  it  was  doubtful  whether  I  should  ob- 
tain it ;  so  that  I  was  closely  tried.  But,  while  I  was 
under  this  exercise,  the  weather  was  more  moderate  than 
usual  at  that  season.  After  I  had  been  suflGciently  tried, 
to  prove  my  faith  and  confidence  in  divine  Providence,  a 
Friend  came  into  my  school  and  privately  gave  me  twenty 
shillings,*  which,  he  said,  had  been  sent  by  a  Friend, 
who  did  not  wish  to  be  known  as  the  donor.  For  this 
unexpected  favor  I  was  thankful  to  the  Lord,  whose  mer- 
cies endure  forever.  Having  now  the  means,  I  soon  pur- 
chased some  wood  ;  and  the  weather,  in  a  short  time, 
becoming  colder,  I  had  a  renewed  sense  of  the  kindness 
of  Providence,  who  had  so  seasonably  relieved  me.  But 
afterwards,  when  my  stock  of  wood  was  nearly  exhausted, 
I  was  brought  into  the  same  difficulty  and  trial  as  before, 
and  as  much  needed  a  renewal  of  my  faith.  1  strove  to 
be  quiet,  and  to  have  my  dependence  placed  on  Him  who 
fed  a  great  multitude  with  a  few  loaves  and  little  fishes; 
and  just  as  I  began  to  suff'er,  another  twenty  shilling  bill 
was  privately  presented  to  me  by  an  unknown  hand  ;  but 
I  received  it  as  coming  from  the  Lord,  who  knew  all  ray 
difficulties. 

Thus  was  I  again  relieved;  and  never,  afterwards,  re- 
ceived anything  more  in  this  way  ;  nor  did  I  ever  need 
it ;  as  I  was  sufficiently  supplied  by  the  proceeds  of  my 
business.     This  was  a  confirmation  to  me,  that  I  had  been 

*  Twenty  shillings,  in  1733,  would  probably  be  equally  valu- 
able with  ten  dollars  in  1825. 


48  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

assisted  by  a  watchful  Providence,  who  knows  all  states 
and  conditions,  both  internal  and  external ;  and  is  able 
and  willing  to  turn  the  hearts  of  his  people,  and  constrain 
them  to  help  the  needy;  as,  formerly,  he  sent  the  ravens 
to  feed  the  prophet. 

I  have  made  these  few  remarks  for  the  sake  of  those 
who  may  be  in  similar  circumstances,  and  stand  in  need 
of  faith  and  confidence  in  the  care  of  divine  Providence, 
over  his  dependent  people  ;  desiring  they  may  afford  them 
encouragement  to  put  their  trust  wholly  in  the  Lord,  and 
not  faint  in  the  day  of  inward  or  outward  trials. 

After  I  had  been  about  six  months  in  Philadelphia,  I 
requested  to  betaken  into  membership  with  Fritmds; 
and  was,  accordingly,  received.  Some  time  after  I  had 
joined  the  Society,  1  began  to  think  of  settling  myself, 
and  to  marry,  when  the  way  should  appear  without  ob- 
struction ;  which  was  not  then  the  case.  I  considered 
marriaye  to  be  the  most  important  concern  in  this  life. 
*'  Marriage,"  said  the  apostle,  ''  is  honorable  in  all."  I 
concluded  he  meant  that  it  was  honoj-ahle  to  all  who  mar- 
ried from  pure  motives,  to  the  right  person,  and  in  the 
proper  way  and  time,  as  divine  Providence  should  direct. 
I  believed  it  best  for  most  men  to  marry  ;  and  that  there 
was,  for  each  man,  one  woman  that  would  suit  him  bet- 
ter than  any  other.  It  appears  to  me  essential  that  all 
men  should  seek  for  icisdom,  and  wait  for  it,  to  guide 
them  in  this  important  undertaking;  because,  no  man, 
without  divine  assistance,  is  able  to  discover  who  is  the 
right  person  for  him  to  marry  ;  but  the  Creator  of  both 
can  and  will  direct  him.  And  why,  in  such  an  impor- 
tant concern,  should  we  not  seek  for  counsel,  as  well  as  in 
matters  of  minor  consequence  ?  There  is,  moreover, 
greater  d  mger  of  erring  in  this  than  in  some  other  con- 
cerns, from  our  being  too  impatient  to  wait  for  the  point- 
ings of  divine  Wisdom;  lest  by  so  doing,  we  might  lose 
some  supposed  benefit.  It  is  common  for  young  people 
to  think  and  say,  '^  I  would  not  marry  such  a  person; 
for  certain  reasons  :  such  as  the  want  of  beauty,  wit,  edu- 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID   FERRIS.  49 

cation,"  &c. ;  and  to  affirm  that  tliey  could  not  love  such 
a  one  ;  but  wc  may  err  by  an  over-hasty  conclusion,  as 
well  as  by  any  other  neglect  of  our  true  Guide. 

I  now  propose  to  give  some  hints  of  my  own  proceed- 
ings in  this  concern.  Near  the  place  of  my  residence 
there  lived  a  comely  young  woman,  of  a  good,  reputable 
family;  educated  in  plainness;  favored  with  good  natu- 
ral talents  ;  and  in  good  circumstances.  Every  view  of 
the  case  was  favorable  to  my  wishes. 

By  some  hints  I  had  received,  it  appeared  probable  that 
my  addresses  would  be  agreeable  to  her;  and  some  of  my 
best  friends  urged  the  attempt.  From  inattention  to  my  hea- 
venly Guide,  I  took  the  hint  from  man ;  and  following 
my  own  inclination,  I  moved  without  asking  my  divine 
Master's  advice.  I  went  to  spend  an  evening  with  the 
young  woman,  if  I  should  find  it  agreeable  when  there. 
She  and  her  mother  were  sitting  together;  and  no  other 
person  present.  They  received  me  in  a  friendly  manner  ; 
but  I  think  I  had  not  chatted  with  them  more  than  half 
an  hour,  before  I  heard  something,  like  a  still  small 
voice,  saying  to  me,  *'  Seekest  thou  great  things  for  thy- 
self'/— seek  them  not."  This  language  pierced  me  like 
a  sword  to  the  heart.  It  so  filled  me  with  confusion, 
that  [  was  unfit  for  any  further  conversation.  I  endea- 
vored to  conceal  my  disorder;  but  soon  took  my  leave, 
without  opening,  to  either  the  mother  or  her  daughter, 
the  subject  which  had  led  me  to  visit  them.  And  1,  af- 
terwards, had  substantial  reason  to  think  it  was  well  for 
me  that  I  had  f  liled  in  this  enterprise. 

I  was  so  confused  and  benumbed  by  this  adventure, 
that  I  did  not  recover  my  usual  state  for  several  months; 
though  I  could  not  suddenly  see  that  my  error  was  act- 
ing without  permission  ;  but  began  to  suppose  that  I 
should  never  be  suffered  to  marry  ;  and  r.hould  have  to 
pass  my  life  without  a  companion,  or  a  home.  I  endea- 
vored to  be  resigned  to  this  view;  supposing  it  was  the 
Lord's  will  ;  but,  for  several  months,  it  was  a  severe  trial. 
At  length  1  was  brought  to  submit,  and  say  "  Amen." 
5 


50  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

This  simple  account  of  my  visit  to  this  young  woman,  is 
designed  as  a  warning  to  others  :  that  they  may  shun  the 
snare  into  which  I  was  so  near  falling. 

I  shall  now  relate  another  of  my  movements,  with  re- 
spect to  marriage,  which  I  believe  was  a  right  one;  as  it 
terminated  to  lasting  satisfaction.  It  may  appear  strange 
to  some  ;  as  if  I  married  in  the  cross  ;  and,  I  suppose, 
few  will  be  inclined  to  follow  my  example.  Yet,  if  the 
divine  Teacher  of  truth  and  righteousness  be  attended 
to,  it  may  be  the  lot  of  some.  After  I  had  been  much 
mortified  and  humbled,  under  a  sense  of  my  former  mis- 
step, I  went,  one  day,  to  a  Friend's  house  to  dine.  As 
I  sat  at  the  table,  I  observed  a  young  woman  sitting  op- 
posite to  me,  whom  I  did  not  remember  ever  to  have  seen 
before.  My  attention,  at  that  time,  being  otherwise  en- 
gaged, I  took  very  little  notice  of  her;  but  a  language 
very  quietly,  and  very  pleasantly,  passed  through  my 
mind,  on  this  wise,  *'  If  thou  wilt  marry  that  young  wo- 
man, thou  shalt  be  happy  with  her.''  There  was  such  a 
degree  of  divine  virtue  attending  the  intimation,  that  it 
removed  all  doubt  concerning  its  origin  and  Author.  I 
took  a  view  of  her,  and  thought  she  wms  a  goodly  person  ; 
but,  as  we  moved  from  the  table,  I  perceived  she  was 
lame.  The  cause  of  her  lameness  I  knew  not ;  but  was 
displeased  that  I  should  have  a  cripple  allotted  to  me.  It 
"was  clear  to  me,  beyond  all  doubt,  that  the  language  I 
had  heard  was  from  heaven  ;  but  I  presumptuously  thought 
I  would  rather  choose  for  myself.  The  next  day  the  sub- 
ject was  calmly  presented  to  my  mind,  like  a  query, 
"  Why  should  thou  despise  her  for  her  lameness  ?  it  may 
be  no  fault  of  hers.  Thou  art  favored  with  sound  limbs, 
and  a  capacity  for  active  exertion  ;  and  would  it  not  be 
kind  and  benevolent  in  thee,  to  bear  a  part  of  her  infir- 
mity, and  to  sympathize  with  her  1:'  She  may  be  affec- 
tionate and  kind  to  thee  ;  and  thou  shalt  be  liappy  in  a 
compliance  with  thy  duty."  Notwithstanding  all  this,  I 
continued  to  reason  against  these  convictions  ;  alleging 
that  it  was  more  than  I  could  bear.     The  enemy  of  my 


MKMOIIIS   OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  Oi 

happiness  was  busily  enpiged,  in  r;iisin<:j  ariiuineat.s 
against  a  compliance  with  my  duty,  suggesting  thut  it  was 
an  unreasonable  thing  that  I  should  be  united  to  a  lame 
wife  ;  and  that  every  one  who  knew  me,  would  admire  at 
my  folly.*  Thus,  from  day  to  day,  and  week  to  week,  I 
reasoned  against  it;  until,  at  length,  my  kind  Benefac- 
tor, in  a  loving  and  benevolent  manner,  opened  to  my 
view,  that,  if  I  were  left  to  choose  for  myself,  and  to  take 
a  wife  to  please  my  fancy,  she  might  be  an  affliction  to 
me  all  the  days  of  my  life  ;  and  lead  me  astray,  so  as  to 
endanger  my  future  happiness.  Or  she  might  fall  into 
vicious  practices ;  notwithstanding  that,  at  the  time  of 
her  marriage,  she  might  be  apparently  virtuous  ;  it  was, 
therefore,  unsafe  to  trust  to  my  natural  understanding. 
On  the  other  hand,  here  was  a  companion  prepared  for 
me  by  unerring  Wisdom  ;  so  that  I  might  rely  with 
safety  on  the  choice.  Still  I  was  unwilling  to  submit. 
But  heavenly  kindness  followed  me,  in  order  to  convince 
me  that  it  would  be  best  to  comply,  and  no  longer  resist 
the  truth.  At  length  it  pleased  the  Lord,  once  more, 
clearly  to  show  me  that  if  I  would  submit,  it  should  not 
only  tend  to  my  own  happiness,  but  that  a  blessing  shoild 
rest  on  my  posterity.  This  was  so  great  a  favor,  and 
manifested  so  much  divine  regard,  that  I  no  longer  re- 
sisted ;  but  concluded  to  pay  the  young  woman  a  visit,  and 
open  the  subject  for  consideration  ;  but,  after  I  had  laid 
my  proposition  before  her,  I  still  had  hopes  that  I  might 
be  excused  ;  and  only  visited  her  occasionally.  Durinsj 
this  time,  for  several  months,  I  endured  great  trials  and 
afflictions,  before  I  was  fully  resigned.  But,  after  divine 
Goodness  had  prevailed  over  my  rebellious  nature,  all 
things  relating  to  my  marriage  wore  a  pleasant  aspect. 
The  young  woman  appeared  beautiful ;  and  I  was  pre- 
pared to  receive  her  as  a  gift  from  heaven  ;  fully  as  good 

*  The  author's  person  was  rather  uncommonly  good,  and  it  is 
probable  he  might  have  thought  too  highly  of  personal  excel- 
lence. 


'OZ  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

as  I  deserved.  AVe  waited  about  six  months  for  my  pa- 
rents' consent,  from  New  England,  (a  conveyance  by  let- 
ter being  at  that  time  difScult  to  obtain,)  and  accom- 
plished our  marriage  on  the  thirteenth  of  the  Ninth  month, 
1735,  in  the  city  of  Philadelphia. 

It  is  now  forty  years  since  we  married  ;  and  I  can  truly 
say,  that  I  never  repented  it ;  but  have  always  regarded 
our  union  as  a  proof  of  divine  kindness.  I  am  fully  sen- 
sible there  was  no  woman  on  earth  so  suitable  for  me  as 
she  was.  And  all  those  things  which  were  shown  me,  as 
the  consequence  of  my  submission,  are  punctually  ful- 
filled. A  blessing  has  rested  on  me  and  on  my  posterity. 
I  have  lived  to  see  my  children,  arrived  to  years  of  un- 
derstanding, favored  with  a  knowledge  of  the  Truth ; 
(which  is  the  greatest  of  all  blfssings  ;)  and  some  of  them, 
bejond  all  doubt,  are  landed  in  eternal  felicity.  I  have 
been  blessed  with  plenty  ;  and,  above  all,  with  peace.  I 
am,  therefore,  satisfied  and  thankful  to  my  gracious  Bene- 
factor, for  his  kindness  to  me  in  this  concern;  as  well  as 
for  all  his  other  favors;  who  am  not  deserving  of  the 
least  of  all  the  mercies  and  all  the  truth  which  he  has 
shown  to  his  unworthy  servant. 

I  have  given  this  relation,  so  circumstantially,  with  a 
view  to  show  how  incapable  we  are  to  see  things  in  their 
true  light,  until  we  are  truly  humbled,  and  brought  into 
subjection  to  the  divine  will ;  and  how  unsafe  it  is  for 
poor,  frail,  short-sighted  creatures,  to  reject  so  vSafe  a 
counsellor,  and  trust  to  their  own  wisdom,  in  concerns  of 
such  importance.  Therefore,  let  all  seek  that  '*  vVisdom 
that  cometh  from  above;  which  is  pure,  peaceable,  gen- 
tle, and  easy  to  be  entreated." 

Whilst  I  was  proceeding  in  my  concerns  relating  to 
marriage,  I  was  also  thoughtful  concerning  the  proper 
place  to  reside  ;  and  the  business  I  should  engage  in  for 
support.  I  had  now  kept  a  school  nearly  four  years  ;  and 
bad  partly  concluded  to  resign  that  employment,  on  ac- 
count of  the  confinement  necessarily  attending  it ;  and 
having  heard  of  a  new  settlement,  then  making  in  the 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  53 

county  of  New-Castle,  (since  called  Wilmington,)  I  was 
inclined  to  see  it,  and  thought,  if  it  pleased  me,  I  might 
perhaps,  settle  there.  It  had  been  a  subject  of  frequent 
consideration  ;  but  when  I  mentioned  it  to  my  wife,  she 
appeared  unwilling  to  leave  riiiladelphia,  as  she  had  lived 
there  nearly  all  her  life,  and  her  relations  resided  in  that 
city.  But  William  Shipley  and  his  wife,  from  Spring- 
Held,  in  Chester  county,  proposing  in  a  short  time,  to  set- 
tle in  Wilmington,  I  went  with  them  to  see  the  place.  It 
pleased  me  so  well  that  I  rented  a  lot  of  ground  there  ; 
and,  on  my  return,  told  my  wife  what  I  had  done.  She 
thought  we  would  never  make  use  of  it. 

In  those  days,  by  various  trials,  exercises,  and  afflic-"* 
tions,  I  was  reduced  to  a  very  low  state.  My  natural 
powers  seemed  to  be  so  much  weakened,  that  I  could  not 
judge  what  course  to  take,  or  how  to  proceed,  in  my  tem- 
poral concerns,  as  I  had  formerly  done ;  or  as  others 
could  do  ;  so  that  I  saw  no  way  for  me  to  move,  with 
prudence  or  safety,  without  immediate  direction  from  the 
fountain  of  Wisdom.  And,  I  may  say,  with  humility  of 
heart,  and  thankfulness  to  the  God  of  all  mercies,  as  I 
sought  for  it,  and  waited  for  direction,  I  sought  him  not 
in  vain.  I  waited  upon  him;  not  daring  to  move  until 
he  appeared  to  point  out  the  way ;  and  he  failed  not  to 
shosv  me  what  step  I  should  take,  and  when  to  take  it,  in 
a  wonderful  manner.  It  was  marvellous  in  my  eyes  ;  that 
a  poor  worm  should  be  thus  favored ;  and  I  should  not 
venture  to  mention  how  particularly  I  was  led,  if  I  did^ 
not  believe  it  to  be  my  duty. 

Observing  how  ignorant  and  thoughtless  mankind  are, 
in  general,  of  a  divine  instructor,  especially  in  their  tem- 
poral concerns,  supposing  themselves  suflficient  to  manage 
the  affairs  of  this  life,  they  do  not  expect  or  seek  for  su- 
perior intelligence,  I  feel  anxious  for  an  amendment, 
where  we  are  out  of  the  true  order ;  and  shall  now  give  some 
hints  of  my  own  experience  in  relation  to  this  subject. 

As  before  mentioned,  I   had  taken  a  lot  of  ground  in 
Wilmington  ;  but  as  yet  it  was  not  clear  to  me  that  it 
5* 


54  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

•would  be  best  for  us  to  reside  there ;  and  my  wife  seem- 
ing unwilling  to  think  of  it,  great  were  the  trials  that  at- 
tended nij  mind. 

To  move  from  one  place  to  another,  in  our  own  time 
and  will,  I  believe  is  a  matter  of  serious  consequence.  A 
change  of  residence  appears  to  me  next  in  in)portance  to 
marriage;  and,  therefore,  requires  the  same  Divine  wis- 
dom to  direct  us  aright.  We  may  be  qualified  for  ser- 
vice in  one  place ;  and,  by  removing,  to  a  distance,  unless 
we  are  directed  by  unerring  counsel,  the  designs  of  Pro- 
vidence respecting  us,  may  be  frustrated ;  and  our  use- 
fulness lessened. 

Under  these  considerations  I  was  reduced  very  low  in 
mind :  being  sensible  of  my  own  inability  rightly  to  di> 

r'rect  my  course.  I  was  full  of  cares  and  fears  ;  and  so 
humbled  that  I  was  willing  to  be  or  do  anything  that  was 
pleasing  to  my  dear  Master ;  so  that  I  might  be  favored 
with  a  knowledge  of  his  will;  even  if  it  were  to  take  my 
axe  or  spade  and  labor  for  the  support  of  my  small  family. 
Sometimes  it  appeared  best  to  move,  and  again  the  pros- 

L.pect  seemed  dark  and  cloudy.  After  some  months  spent 
in  anxious  solicitude  on  this  subject,  light  gradually  arose 
on  my  mind,  and  at  length,  the  prospect  of  removing  to 
the  new  settlement  of  which  I  have  spoken,  and  of  keep- 
ing a  store  for  the  sale  of  goods  there,  appeared  so  clear, 

Jhat  I  applied  for  a  house  convenient  for  this  purpose,  if 
I  should  conclude  to  remove.  Yet,  although  I  had  pro- 
ceeded so  far,  I  was  under  a  daily  care  lest  I  should  be 
mistaken,  and  take  a  wrong  step ;  so  as  to  bring  a  re- 
proach  on  the   profession  of  Truth  I  had  made  to  the 

tworld. 

"While  I  was  under  this  concern,  I  was  taken  ill  with 
the  small-pox  ;  and  had  it  pretty  severely.  When  on 
the  recovery,  as  I  sat  by  the  fire  one  evening,  in  company 
with  my  wife,  I  received  a  letter  from  the  owner  of  the 
house,  of  which  1  had  the  refusal.  He  informed  me  that 
I  must  write  to  him  the  next  morning,  and  say  whether 
I    would  take  it  or  not;  as  another   person  had  deter- 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  55 

miucd  to  take  possession  of  it.  There  was  no  other  house 
in  the  settlement  which  would  be  at  all  suitable  for  my 
intended  business.  This  brought  me  into  a  close  trial. 
After  I  had  read  the  letter  to  my  wife,  we  sat  silent  for 
some  time.  At  length  she  cheerfully  said,  *'  Well,  let 
us  go."  Which  I  rejoiced  to  hear;  although  at  that  time, 
the  prospect  was  enveloped  in  darkness.  I  made  her  but 
little  reply;  and  being  weak  in  body,  and  dark  in  mind, 
I  retired  to  bed.  After  I  had  lain  some  some  time^  re- 
volving the  difficulties  of  my  situation,  with  fervent  de- 
sires for  divine  direction,  I  went  to  sleep  ;  and  had  a 
good  night's  rest;  which  I  had  not  enjoyed  before,  du- 
ring that  illness.  About  the  dawn  of  the  day,  it  seemed' 
as  if  I  heard  a  clear  and  intelligible  language,  saying  to 
me,  "  Go  and  prosper ;  fear  not ;  the  cattle  on  a  thou- 
sand hills  are  mine  ;  and  I  give  them  to  whom  I  please. 
Behold  !  I  will  be  with  thee."  Immediately  all  my 
doubts  vanished ;  I  saw,  with  sufficient  clearness,  that  I 
might  go  with  safety  ;  and  hope  for  a  competent  subsist- 
ence. These  circumstances  I  related  to  my  wife  ;  andi 
told  her  of  my  prospects  ;  which  afforded  her  encourage- 
ment. I  then  arose,  and  wrote  to  the  owner  of  the 
house  ;  informing  him  that  I  had  concluded  to  take  it ; 
and  that  I  hoped  to  move  at  the  time  proposed.  Ac- 
cordingly I  removed  to  it,  with  my  family,  in  the  Third 
mouth,  1737 ;  taking  with  me  some  goods  for  my  store. 

After  our  removal,  the  minds  of  the  people,  both  in 
town  and  country,  were  inclined  to  deal  with  us  ;  and 
we  soon  sold  the  few  goods  we  brought  from  the  city.  I 
then  had  occasion  to  think  of  "  the  cattle  on  a  thousand 
hills,"  with  heartfelt  gratitude  to  Him  who  keepeth  cove- 
nant with  his  children,  and  whose  mercies  fail  not.  He 
neither  slumbereth  nor  sleepeth;  but  his  watchful  eye 
regardeth  his  depending  people,  as  I  have  ever  found. 

I  will  now  give  some  of  my  views  on  the  subject  of 
business,  lawful  for  Christians  to  engage  in.  Children 
may  be  apprenticed  to  trades  which  are  inconsistent  with 
a  Christian  profession.     For  instance,  some  are  taught  to 


56  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID    FERRIS. 

make  instruments  of  war;  which  they  who  believe  in  the 
peaceable  doctrines  of  Christ  cannot  lawfully  engage  in. 
There  are  several  other  callings  which  I  believe  Chris- 
tians cannot  consistently  follow. 

It  is  the  duty  of  those  who  profess  to  follow  Christ 
the  light  of  the  world,  to  consider  whether  the  business 
in  which  they  engage,  is  agreeable  to  his  will ;  and,  if 
a  doubt  arise  respecting  its  propriety,  to  ask  counsel,  and 
wait  for  wisdom,  to  know  how  to  proceed.  I  was  edu- 
cated under  a  supposition  that  human  learning  was  suf- 
ficient to  qualify  me  to  teach  people  the  way  to  peace 
and  happiness.  This  was  clearly  revealed  to  me  to  be  a 
mistake  ;  and  I  had  not  the  shadow  of  a  doubt,  that 
they  who  acquired  human  learning,  to  qualify  them  for 
the  gospel  ministry,  were  entirely  wrong.  In  consequence 
of  this  conviction,  I  employed  myself  in  teaching  a  school ; 
which  I  believe  was  right  for  me  at  that  time.  And 
when  I  purposed  to  enter  into  another  business,  being 
convinced  that  I  ought  to  ask  counsel  of  the  great  Coun- 
sellor, I  did  not  run  in  my  own  will,  and  choose  my  own 
ways.  I  was  satisfied,  that,  as  we  were  blessed  with  a  di- 
vine Teacher,  it  was  our  duty  to  follow  his  directions,  in 
temporal,  as  well  as  spiritual  concerns ;  especially  in 
movements  of  importance.  And  when  I  believed  it 
would  be  right  to  keep  a  store,  I  was  desirous  that  I  might 
proceed  in  the  business  under  the  direction  of  Him  who 
seemed  willing  to  teach  me.  Not  having  served  an  ap- 
prenticeship to  the  mercantile  business,  I  was  ignorant  of 
the  quality  and  prices  of  goods  ;  it  was,  therefore,  proba- 
ble I  should  be  under  some  difficulty  in  these  respects. 

My  mind,  as  I  before  observed,  was  reduced  to  a  very 
low  state,  so  that  I  felt  incapable  of  conducting  my  out- 
ward concerns  advantageously,  unless  b}'  divine  aid,  as 
the  way  opened  in  the  light.  Our  little  stock  of  goods 
being  nearly  all  sold,  my  wife  reminded  me  of  our  need 
of  a  fresh  supply.  I  felt  no  freedom  at  that  time  to  pro- 
cure any,  though  I  did  not  tell  her  the  cause  of  my  de- 
lay, only  saying  I  expected  soon  to  go  to  Philadelphia, 
where  we  purchased  our  goods.     As  I  humbly  waited  for 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  5/ 

wisdom  the  never  fiiiling  fountain  was  opened,  Before 
I  rose  one  morning  it  appeared  clear  to  me  that  I  niinrht 
proceed  in  the  business,  of  which  I  informed  my  wife. 
She  was  pleased  to  hear  it,  knowing  the  necessity  we  were 
under,  but  admired  that  I  was  so  tardy  in  making  up  my 
mind  to  go.  Being  unacqu-iinted  with  the  merchants, 
and  ignorant  of  the  quality  of  goods,  I  felt  my  need  of  an 
instructor,  to  whom  I  might  safely  apply  for  direction  ; 
and  as  I  looked  to  my  divine  Guide,  I  found  to  my  admi- 
ration that  He  was  near  to  help  me.  When  I  went  into^ 
a  store  to  make  my  purchases,  I  continued  to  lay  off  such 
goods  as  I  thought  we  wanted,  until  the  way  seemed  to 
close  at  that  place,  and  I  felt  an  openness  to  proceed  to 
another.  I  went  accordingly,  and  acted  in  the  same  man- 
ner, as  long  as  I  found  freedom  ;  and  when  the  way  to 
go  further  was  wholly  closed,  I  gathered  my  purchases 
together,  and  returned  home.  Thus  I  went  on  from  time^ 
to  time,  and  from  year  to  year. 

Sometimes  when  my  wife  would  look  over  the  goods 
I  had  purchased,  she  would  express  a  regret  that  I  bought 
certain  articles,  which  she  specified  ;  fearing  that  they 
might  not  be  saleable.  I  thought  otherwise,  and  we  fre- 
quently found  them  to  sell  as  well  as  anything  I  had 
bought.  "When  I  kept  near  to  my  divine  Director,  either 
in  my  spiritual  or  temporal  concerns,  everything  pros- 
pered under  my  hand.  I  was  brought  so  low  thati  could 
really  do  nothing  in  cither  case,  to  any  advantage,  with- 
out  Him. 

The  advantages  arising  from  a  faithful  attention  to 
the  leadings  of  the  Holy  Spirit  are  very  great,  far 
greater  than  my  tongue  or  pen  can  express;  even 
in  the  management  of  our  temporal  affairs.  And,  I 
believe,  all  real  Christians  might  have  their  un- 
derstandings enlightened,  and  their  eyes  anointed, 
clearly  to  see  how  to  proceed  in  all  concerns  of  impor- 
tance, provided  the  pure  fear  of  the  Lord  prevailed  in 
their  hearts  ;  and  an  humble  dependence  and  full  confi- 
dence in  the  all-sufficient  Helper  were  steadil}"  main- 
tained.    I  speak  from  experience.     He  has  been  my  in- 


58  MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID    FERRIS. 

stnictor  in  a  very  particular  manner;  mucli  more  so  than 
I  have  mentioned,  or  than  I  can  describe  ;  and  I  am  far 
from  supposing  that  I  have  been  more  deserving  than 
others.  Christ  said,  "  Ask  and  ye  shall  receive.^'  I 
asked  for  his  direction  and  assistance,  and  he  helped 
me,  and  I  found  the  promise  true. 
f'  I  believe  it  is  consistent  with  the  divine  "Will,  that 
all  should  have  their  hope  and  dependence  more  fully 
placed  in  his  almighty  power;  and  that  they  should 
wait  for  instruction  from  him,  in  all  their  undertakings. 
ThuSj  their  understandings  would  be  enlarged  ;  their 
ideas  would  be  clear ;  and,  having  submitted  all  to  the 
disposal  of  divine  Providence,  who  had  directed  their 
proceedings-  they  would  go  forward  without  any  anxious 
cares,  or  distracting  thoughts,  respecting  events.  I  know 
this  to  my  comfort.  So  far  as  I  have  conformed  to  this 
view,  a  blessing  has  attended  my  undertakings,  besides 
the  blessings  of  peace  and  an  easy  mind. 

But,  before  I  leave  this  subject,  I  will  observe,  that  I 
did  not  always  so  closely  attend  to  my  blessed  Instructor 
as  I  ought  to  have  done :  of  which  I  will  relate  some 
instances.  It  was  the  practice  of  shop-keepers  to  sell 
rum  ;  and  I  was  told  that  if  I  did  not  conform  to  it,  I 
need  not  expect  to  do  any  business  of  importance.  So, 
without  waiting  for  direction,  I  fell  into  the  practice ; 
and  followed  it  for  several  years  ;  until  it  became  a  sub- 
ject of  uneasiness  tome.  I  found  many  used  that  arti- 
cle to  the  injury,  both  of  body  and  mind.  Some  spent 
their  estates  to  procure  it ;  and  thus  brought  themselves 
and  their  families  into  want  and  distress ;  which  gave 
me  trouble  of  mind.  But,  being  unwilling  to  lose  the 
profits  of  this  branch  of  business,  I  adopted  an  expedi- 
ent to  soothe  my  pain  ;  which  was,  to  refuse  selling  it  to 
.such  as  I  thought  would  make  an  evil  use  of  it.  But 
this  did  not  answer  my  expectations ;  for  they  would 
send  for  it  by  those  who  were  not  suspected.  At  length 
I  was  made  to  relinquish  the  profits  made  on  this  arti- 
cle ;  and  trust  to  Providence  for  the  result.     I  ceased  to 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  59 

sell  it ;  which  afforded  me  peace,  and  made  no  great  di- 
minution of  my  business.* 

It  was  also  customary,  in  those  days,  for  Friends,  as 
well  as  others,  to  sell  many  superfluous  articles ;  such  as 
i^ay  calicoes  ;  flowered  ribbands ;  and  other  fine  things  ; 
which  we,  as  a  society,  did  not  allow  our  families  to 
wear ;  and  which  it  was  not  consistent  with  our  profes- 
sion to  encourage  in  others.  With  these  views,  I  en- 
deavored to  lay  aside  all  such  superfluities,  and  to  deal 
in  such  articles  only,  as  were  really  useful. |  I  was  told 
that  if  I  refused  to  sell  such  goods,  I  might  quit  my 
business  ;  but,  as  I  did  it  from  a  sense  of  duty,  I  was 
not  sensible  that  I  sustained  any  loss  by  it. 

After  I  had  been  in  business  several  years,  and  had 
increased  in  wealth,  three  or  four  of  my  fellow  townsmen 
f'oncluded  to  build  a  vessel  and  trade  to  the  West  Indies; 
and,  without  consulting  my  kind  Instructor,  1  was  pre- 
vailed upon  to  join  them,  and  continued  in  the  trade  for 
some  time ;  but  being  favored  to  see  my  error,  I  with- 
drew from  the  concern  as  soon  as  possible,  and  confined 
myself  to  the  business  of  my  store.  As  I  attended  to  this 
business,  I  found  I  could  not  feel  easy  to  sell  my  goods 
for  as  much  as  I  could  get  for  them,  as  was  the  practice 
with  many;  but  by  selling  them  at  a  moderate  profit  I 
obtained  peace  of  mind. 

I  am  aware  that  many,  and  even  some  who  make  a 
high  profession  of  religion,  will  deem  my  remarks  on 
busine.-s,  marriage,  &c.,  unworthy  of  notice  ;  and  be  ready 
to  smile  at  them,  as  the  whims  and  notions  of  a  distem- 
pered and  enthusiastic  brain,  because  they  may  have  had 
no  such  experience.  Yet  there  may  be  others  who,  having 
had  some  knowledge  of  this  way,  will   be  glad  of  these 

*  In  1742  by  following  his  divine  Glide,  the  author  of  this 
very  interestiim  imrrative  took  a  y;rouiid,  in  relation  to  the  sale 
of  distilled  spirit  nous  liquors,  which  placed  him  in  advance  of 
public  sentiment  one  Innidred  years  .' 

f  The  consistenry  of  his  practice  in  these  cases,  will  be  ad- 
mitted by  many  who  are  not  ytt  willing  to  follow  his  e.xample. 


60  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID    FERRIS. 

remarks ;  for  I  am  sure,  be^^ond  all  doubt,  tbat  what  I 
have  written  is  true,  and  well  worthy  of  attention.*  And 
if  men  were  universally  to  attend  to  the  direction  of  Him 
who  is  come  to  lead  us  into  all  truth,  the  wars  and  devas- 
tations now  prevailing  in  our  land  would  not  have  existed."!" 
I  will  now  recur  to  the  time  when  I  first  joined  the 
Society  of  Friends.  After  I  was  admitted  into  member- 
ship, I  diligently  attended  all  our  meetings  for  worship 
and  discipline;  and  greatly  admired  the  beautiful  order 
established  in  the  society,  and  the  living  gospel  ministry 
with  which  we  were  favored.  After  I  had  been  a  member 
about  one  year,  I  was  concerned  to  appear  in  the  minis- 
try, and  excite  the  careless  to  a  consideration  of  their 
*^'  latter  end/'  I  had  passed  through  many  vicissitudes 
and  tribulations ;  but  when  this  concern  was  laid  upon 
me,  it  seemed  heavier  than  any  thing  I  had  ever  had  to 
bear.  I  thought  I  could  never  be  resigned  to  it.  When 
I  was  called  out  of  the  vanities  of  my  youth,  and  was 
obliged  to  submit  to  the  cross  of  Christ,  to  become  a 
laughing-stock  and  a  by-word  to  my  companions  and  ac- 
quaintances, I  was  so  humbled,  so  mortified,  and  self  so 
much  abased,  I  thought  I  could  submit  to  any  thing  that 
might  afterwards  be  required  of  me.  Again,  when  I 
passed  through  that  great  trial  of  leaving  college,  in  the 
manner  before  related,  and  had  to  deny  all  the  honors, 
friendships,  pleasant  connections,  and  riches  of  the  world, 
I  concluded  I  should  never  again  meet  with  so  great  a 
trial.  But  I  was  mistaken.  This  far  exceeded  all  I  had 
previously  encountered.  I,  however,  submitted  so  far  as 
.to  speak  a  few  times  in  our  meetings ;  and  then,  through 

*  When  we  consider  the  superficial  state  of  most  religious 
professors,  it  is  no  marvel  they  should  reject  the  doctrine  of 
spiritual  direction  in  secular  couce\i\^  ;  although  it  will  gene- 
rally be  oranted  that  our  f-inrilual  icelfare.  is  clearly  connected 
with  the  state  of  our  domestic  and  other  temporal  affairs.  It 
was  the  promise  of  our  Lord  to  his  followers,  "When  he,  the 
Spirit  of  Truth,  is  come,  he  will  guide  you  iiito  alltrnth.^^ — John 
xvi.  13. 

t  The  Revolutionary  war. 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  Gl 

great  fear  that  I  should  not  be  able  to  persevere,  I  was  "• 
induced  to  be  silent,  and  postpone  the  performance  of 
this  duty  until  a  more  '^  convenient  season,"  or  more  fall 
manifestation  of  the  divine  will.  I  concluded,  that  if  I 
should  continue  for  any  considerable  time  to  appear  as  a 
minister,  and  afterwards  should  be  silent,  it  would  bring 
greater  dishonor  on  my  profession  than  thus  to  cease  at 
an  early  period  of  such  a  concern.  Sometimes  1  hoped 
that  at  a  future  meeting  the  trial  would  not  be  so  severe ; 
at  others,  that  more  strength  would  be  granted  me.  Thus 
I  reasoned,  from  month  to  mouth  and  year  to  year,  during 
seven  years.  In  all  which  time  the  concern  was  often  so 
heavy,  that  I  sat  and  trembled  through  the  time  of  meet- 
ing, and  then  went  away  full  of  sorrow,  trouble  and  pain_^ 
of  heart. 

For  several  years  after  this  I  seldom  felt  this  concern  ; 
yet  I  was  still  sensible  that  I  had  a  work  of  this  kind  to 
do,  and  felt  great  pain  in  neglecting  it.  I  saw  no  way  to 
obtain  peace  of  mind  but  by  a  submission  to  the  cross, 
and  becoming  willing  to  be  accounted  a  fool ;  and  this 
being  a  severe  trial,  I  evaded  it.  Sometimes  I  had  a 
faint  hope  that  I  should  yet  obtain  strength  to  proceed  in 
the  work,  at  other  times  I  was  almost  in  despair. 

Thus  I  passed  along  for  fifteen  years  ;  during  which 
time  my  error  was  manifested  to  me  in  various  ways. 
Sometimes  by  the  Holy  Spirit,  showing  me  that  ^-obe- 
dience is  better  than  sacrifice,  and  to  hearken  to  the  voice 
of  the  Lord,  than  the  fat  of  rams.''  Sometimes  by  the 
ministry  of  his  messengers;  and  sometimes  by  dreams, 
&c.  Thus,  in  great  mere}',  the  Lord  followed  me  as  he 
did  Ephraim  of  old,  saying,  '•  How  shall  I  give  the  up,  0 
Ephraim  ?" 

One  night  I  dreamed  that  I  saw  a  large,  spacious  build- 
ing, in  an  unfini.^^hed  state;  and  the  muster  builder,  who 
appeared  an  excellent  person,  came  to  me  as  I  stood  at  a 
distance,  and  desired  me  to  go  and  take  a  view  of  it ;  to 
which  I  agreed;  and  as  we  were  surveying  it,  and  exa- 
mining the  particular  parts,  I  observed  that  among  the 

'o 


62  MEMOIRS   OF  DAVID    FERRIS. 

many  pillars,  erected  for  the  support  of  the  building,  there 
was  one  lacking.  I  queried  of  him,  what  was  the  cause 
of  that  vacancy.  He  replied,  it  was  left  for  me ;  and 
that  I  was  specially  designed  and  prepared  for  the  place, 
and  showed  me  how  I  fitted  it,  like  a  mortise  is  fitted  to 
its  tenon.  So  that  I  saw  in  niy  dream  that  all  he  said 
was  true.  But,  notwithstanding  all  this,  I  objected  to 
my  capacity  and  fitness  to  fill  the  vacancy,  and  was  there- 
fore unwilling  to  occupy  it.  He  endeavored,  by  the  most 
convincing  reasons,  to  remove  all  my  objections,  and  to 
demonstrate  that  I  was  fitted  for  the  place.  He  further 
told  me  that  they  had  not  another  prepared  for  it;  and 
that  the  building  would  be  retarded  if  I  did  not  comply 
with  the  design.  After  he  had  reasoned  with  me  a  long 
time,  and  I  still  refused,  he  appeared  to  be  grieved,  and 
told  me  it  was  a  great  pity  that  I  should  be  rendered  use- 
less in  the  house  by  my  own  obstinacy  ;  and  then  added, 
"  But  it  must  not  be  so ;  for  if  thou  wilt  not  be  a  pillar, 
thou  sbalt  be  a  plank  for  the  floor."  He  then  showed  me 
how  I  might  be  flatted  and  prepared  for  that  purpose. 
But  I  refused  that  place  also,  on  the  ground  that  it  looked 
too  diminutive  to  be  a  piank  to  be  trod  upon  by  all  who 
came  into  the  house.  At  this  the  master  was  troubled, 
seeing  1  would  accept  no  place  that  was  ofi"ered  me  ;  but, 
after  a  long  debate,  he  concluded  to  leave  the  propositions 
he  had  made  for  my  further  consideration  ;  and  so  we 
parted. 

The  next  day  I  was  at  a  meeting  on  Long  Island,  and 
a  concern  came  heavily  upon  mo  to  say  something  that 
was  presented  to  my  mind.  The  burden  of  the  word  was 
weighty,  and  more  ditiicult  to  remove  than  usual  ;  but  I 
contended  with  it,  and  at  length  refused  to  comply.  I 
was  tben  in  company  with  two  women  Friends  travelling 
in  the  ministry.  The  following  night  one  of  them  dreamed 
that  she  saw  me  sittiug  by  a  pleasant  stream  of  water ; 
before  me  a  table  was  spread  with  all  manner  of  dainties  ; 
but  I  was  chained,  so  that  1  could  not  reach  any  of  them  ; 
at  which  she  was  troubled,  and  asked  the  master  of  the 
feast  why  I  was  deprived  of  the  liberty  to  partake  of  the 


MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID    FERRIS.  63 

cood  things  on  the  table.  He  answered,  that  the  time 
had  been  when,  on  certain  condition?,  I  might  have  en- 
joyed them  to  the  iull,  but  that  I  had  refused  the  terms, 
and  therefore  was  now  justly  deprived  of  them.  She  in- 
quired of  him  whether  this  must  always  be  my  case.  He 
answered,  perhaps  not ;  that  if  I  would  yet  submit,  and 
comply  with  the  terms,  it  was  not  too  late  to  partake  of  all 
the  good  things  she  saw.  The  interpretation  of  this 
dream,  and  of  mine  the  night  before,  was  easy  and  plain. 
They  rested  on  my  mind  for  several  years,  as  cause  of 
humbling  instruction,  and  excitement  to  future  care,  dili- 
gence and  obedience. 

The  next  day,  as  we  were  travelling  towards  a  town 
where  we  intended  to  have  a  meeting  the  following  day, 
we  were  informed  that  a  people  called  the  New-Lights 
were  to  have  a  meeting  there  the  same  day,  and  that  we 
might,  probably,  get  there  at  the  time  their  meeting  was 
sitting.  As  soon  as  I  heard  it,  I  thought  the  word  of 
the  Lord  passed  through  me,  saying,  "  Thou  must  go  to 
that  meeting.''  I  knew  not  the  object,  but  supposed  it 
might  be  to  bear  a  tcstii^ony  against  their  errors  in  wor- 
ship and  practice,  and  to  proclaim  the  truths  of  the  gos- 
\yc\  in  their  hearing.  I  rode  on  without  speaking  to  my 
companions,  but  the  concern  remained  weightily  with  me. 
I  endeavored,  as  usual,  to  get  from  under  it,  saying  to 
my  Master,  "  I  am  in  no  wise  qualified  for  the  service," 
and  desiring  that  he  would  send  by  those  who  were  fitted 
for  such  a  work,  or,  as  Moses  said,  "  by  whom  he  would 
i^end,"  so  that  I  might  be  excused.  Whilst  I  was  strug- 
gling to  evade  this  service,  one  of  the  women  turned  to 
me  and  said,  ''  Why  canst  thou  not  go  to  this  meeting 
of  New-Lights,  and  proclaim  to  them  the  Truth,  as  our 
Friends  did  formerly  ?"  Her  speech  added  fuel  to  the 
fire  that  was  burning  within  me.  I  thought  it  came 
with  divine  authority  ;  but  I  made  her  no  reply,  having 
before  as  much  as  I  could  well  bear.  I,  however,  felt 
an  engagement  to  press  forward  ;  and  when  wo  arrived 
at  the  house  where  we  intended  to  tarry  for  refreshment, 


64  MEMOIRS   or   DAVID   FERRIS. 

being  under  great  exercise  of  mind,  I  walked  backward 
and  forward  across  tlie  room.  The  friend  who  bad  spoken 
to  me  on  the  road,  I  observed,  was  under  great  exercise 
also.  I  walked  and  reasoned  as  louo;  as  I  well  could.  At 
length  the  power  of  opposition  was  overcome,  and  I  was 
obliged  to  submit.  I  then  observed  to  the  friend,  "  I 
^believe  I  must  go  to  that  meeting.''  She  replied,  "  I 
believe  so  also.''  The  landlord,  hearing  what  was  said, 
proposed  to  go  with  me,  and  I  accepted  of  his  offer.  So 
being  pressed  in  spirit  to  make  haste,  we  set  out,  and 
coming  to  the  meeting  house,  I  stepped  on  the  door-sill 
to  go  in,  and  at  that  instant  the  meeting  broke  up.  I 
then  stepped  aside,  and  stood  still  in  retirement  of  mind, 
waiting  to  know  my  duty.  The  people  rushed  out  of  the 
house,  and  I  found  my  mind  relieved  of  concern  ;  so  I 
was  easy  to  return  without  further  service.  I  believed 
the  u'ill  to  act,  in  this  case,  was  accepted  for  the  deed, 
.  and  I  returned  in  peace. 

Thus,  was  I  shown  that  my  divine  Master  was  able  to 
bring  me  to  a  state  of  submission  to  his  holy  will ;  and  I 
then  concluded,  that  if  he  would  excuse  me  from  such  a 
trying  service,  I  would  no  longer  refuse  to  speak  among 
those  of  my  own  persuasion. 

But  after  all  this,  I  proceeded  with  a  heavy  heart, 
being  sensible  that  my  work  was  neglected.  It  was 
several  years  after  this  occurrence,  before  I  fully  sub- 
mitted to  the  divine  will ;  in  all  which  time  I  went  on 
lamenting  my  unfaithfulness.  Sometimes  I  had  a  hope, 
as  it  were,  against  hope,  that  I  should  obtain  a  victory 
over  that  slavish  fear  which  had  so  long  enthralled  me. 
At  other  times  I  was  ready  to  conclude  there  was  no 
cause  to  hope  for  deliverance  from  it.  Yet,  during  this 
period,  I  was  not  wholly  forsaken  by  my  divine  Master, 
but  was  enabled  to  perform,  I  hope  with  acceptance,  some 
services  for  him  ;  such  as  warning  the  drunkard,  the  pro- 
fane swearer  and  the  liar,  of  the  evil  of  their  ways,  and 
advising  them  to  repent.  Sometimes,  during  this  period, 
I  was  also  concerned  to  accompany  Friends  who  were 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  65 

engaged  to  visit  religious  meetings  in  distant  places,  in 
yielding  to  which  I  found  peace.  Yet,  when  abroad  on 
such  services,  and  ray  call  to  the  ministry  was  brought 
into  view,  the  sense  of  my  neglect  sunk  my  spirits,  and 
pain  of  heart  attended  me.  Thus  I  spent  more  than 
iwenty  years ! 

Although,  as  has  been  mentioned,  I  had  been  many 
times  invited,  and  had  received  indubitable  evidence  of 
the  divine  will,  both  immediately  and  instrumentally,  so 
that  every  doubt  was  removed  from  my  mind,  3"et  the 
fear  of  man,  the  fear  of  missing  my  way,  the  fear  of  doing 
more  harm  than  good,  prevailed  against  me  ;  so  that  I 
thought  I  should  never  be  able  to  submit  to  the  divine 
will  concerning  me.  But  towards  the  termination  of  the 
aforesaid  time  I  felt  more  lively,  and  a  concern  to  appear 
in  the  ministry  revived.  Being  from  home,  at  a  meet- 
ing, I  was  concerned  to  say  something  to  the  people; 
but,  according  to  my  usual  custom,  I  postponed  it  till  a 
more  convenient  season.  On  this  account  I  left  the 
meeting  in  great  heaviness  and  sorrow,  for  my  disobe- 
dience. On  the  following  night  I  dreamed  that  I  saw 
two  generals  drawing  up  their  armies  in  order  of  battle. 
Kach  captain  had  his  men  in  order,  ready  to  obey  the 
command  of  their  general,  and  stood  at  their  head  wait- 
ing for  orders  to  march  and  stand  in  the  engagement 
where  he  should  command  them.  One  of  the  generals 
came  to  a  captain,  who  stood  near  me,  and  said  to  him, 
"  You  are  a  valiant  man,  and  skilful  in  the  art  of  war  j 
therefore  march  into  the  right  wing  of  the  ami}',  and  in 
front  of  the  battle."  But  the  captain  objected  to  the 
post  assigned  him,  and  pleaded  his  unfitness  for  it,  say- 
ing, ''  It  is  a  place  of  danger,  and  requires  a  man  better 
(lualificd  for  such  a  post."  The  general  answered  that 
he  was  well  qualified  for  the  place  allotted  him,  and  that 
if  he  took  it  he  mighty  by  his  skill  and  valor,  do  eminent 
sen-ice  for  his  king  and  country,  and  gain  great  honor, 
which  would  be  a  means  of  promoting  him  to  places  of 
higher  trust.  He,  however,  desired  to  be  excused,  and 
6» 


66  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

could  not  be  persuaded  to  take  the  post  assigned  liim.  I 
stood  by  and  heard  all  the  general's  arguments  to  per- 
suade him  to  comply,  until  I  was  filled  with  indignation 
at  the  captain's  obstinacy,  especially  as  the  general  had 
absolute  authority  to  cominand,  and  yet  was  so  kind  as  to 
use  entreaty  and  persuasion.  I  then  said  to  the  general, 
^^  It  is  my  judgment  that  this  captain  is  not  worthy  of 
the  place  assigned  him,  since  he  refuses  to  serve  his  king 
and  country  according  to  his  capacity,  and  rejects  the 
honor  and  promotion  he  might  obtain.  Were  I  in  the 
general's  place,  I  would  set  him  in  the  rear  of  the  army, 
where  he  will  have  less  opportunity  of  promotion,  and 
may  lose  his  life  as  well  as  in  the  front."  To  this  the 
general  replied,  '^  The  decision  is  just,  and  in  the  rear 
he  shall  stand,"  where  he  was  accordingly  stationed. 

I  awoke  from  my  sleep  in  great  distress,  under  a  sense 
of  the  just  judgment  which  (like  David)  I  had  passed  on 
myself.  From  this  time,  during  several  months,  I  was 
on  the  brink  of  despair ;  concluding  I  was  wholly  un- 
worthy to  stand  in  front,  and,  therefore,  should  be  placed 
in  the  rear,  to  be  killed  in  obscurity.  After  a  time  of 
great  anxiety  and  distress  of  mind,  the  Lord  was 
graciously  pleased  to  look  upon  me  with  compassion,  and 
again  offered  to  make  me  a  pillar  in  his  house ;  and  I  felt 
a  renewed  concern  to  appear  in  public  for  his  name,  and 
in  the  cause  of  Truth. 

In  the  year  1755,  being  in  compan}"  with  Comfort 
Hoag*  and  her  companion,  from  New  p]ngland,  then  on 

•Comfort  [\oA%  (afterwards  Comfort  Collins)  was  a  lively 
minister  of  ihe  gospel,  from  the  Colony  of  Massachusetts.  She 
travelled  extensively  on  this  Continent,  and  left  many  seals  of 
her  ministry  in  places  where  she  had  been  called  to  labor.  She 
was  living  in  1815,  at  the  advanced  age  o(  one  Imndred  and  five 
years.  Althou^'h  her  natural  faculties  were  then  much  impaired, 
yet  the  happy  effects  of  a  religious  life  shone  forth  conspicuously 
thro'igh  all  the  weakness  and  decay  of  extreme  old  age.  A 
Friend,  who  visited  her  in  the  aforesaid  year,  says,  «' a  peculiar 
innocence,  calmness  and  quietude  appeared  in  her  countenance 
and  manner  of  expression,  manifesting  that  the  .tpiritnal  lifp 
was  unimpaired  by  the  decay  of  the  natural  faculties  and 
powers." 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  07 

a  religious  visit  to  Friends  in  this  part  of  tlie  country,  I 
attended  a  meeting  with  them,  in  which  I  felt  a  concern 
to  speak  to  the  assembly,  but,  as  usual,  evaded  it.  After 
meeting  Comfort  said  to  me,  '^  David,  why  didst  thou 
not  preach  to  day  V  I  smiled  at  the  query,  seeming  to 
wonder  that  she  should  ask  such  a  question,  and  endea- 
vored to  appear  innocent  and  ignorant  of  any  concern  of 
that  kind.  As  she  knew  nothing  of  me  but  what  she 
had  felt,  (having  never  before  seen  or  heard  of  me,)  she 
said  no  more.  On  the  followiyg  day  a  similar  concern 
came  upon  me,  and  I  evaded  it  as  before.  After  meet- 
ing, Comfort  again  said  to  me,  ''David,  why  didst  thou 
not  preach  to-day  ?"  I  endeavored  to  pass  it  by  as  I  did 
before;  but  she  said  it  was  not  worth  while  to  evade  it, 
for  she  was  assured  that  I  ought  to  have  preached  that 
day,  and  that  I  had  almost  spoiled  her  meeting  by  re- 
fraining, which  had  hindered  her  service.  When  I 
found  I  could  not  conceal  my  faults,  I  confessed  the 
whole,  and  told  her  I  had  been  for  more  than  twenty 
years  in  that  practice  ;  and  then  gave  her  a  history  of 
my  life  from  the  beginning  down  to  that  day.  She  ac-- 
mired  that  divine  kindness  was  yet  manifested  toward 
me  in  such  manner,  seeing  I  had  so  long  rebelled  against 
it,  and  then  gave  me  suitable  caution  and  advice.  -> 

The  following  day,  being  at  meeting,  I  again  felt  a 
concern  to  speak  to  the  people,  but  endeavored  to  evade 
it.  A  man  of  some  note  was  sitting  before  me,  which  in- 
creased my  reluctance  to  speak.  I  supposed  he  would 
not  be  present  at  the  next  meeting,  and  then  I  would 
obey  the  call  of  the  Lord  to  that  service.  Thus  I  spent 
the  greater  part  of  an  hour.  At  length  my  divine  Master, 
the  great  Master  Builder,  thus  addressed  me,  *'  Why 
dost  thou  still  delay,  desiring  to  be  excused  until  a  more 
convenient  season  ?  There  never  will  be  a  better  time 
than  this.  I  have  waited  on  thee  above  twenty  years ; 
I  have  clearly  made  known  to  thee  my  will,  so  that  all 
occasion  of  doubt  has  been  removed ;  yet  thou  hast  re- 
fused to  submit  until  thy  day  is  far  spent ;   and  if  thou 


08  MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

<lost  not  spcetlily  comply  with  my  commands,  it  will  be 
too  late ;  thy  opportunity  will  be  lost/^  I  then  clearly 
saw  that  if  I  were  forsaken,  and  left  to  myself,  the  con- 
sequence would  be  death  and  darkness  forever !  At  the 
sight  of  the  horrible  pit  that  yawned  for  me,  if  I  con- 
tinued in  disobedience,  my  body  trembled  like  an  aspen 
leaf,  and  my  soul  was  humbled  within  me  !  Then  I  said, 
"  Lord  !  here  am  I ;  make  of  me  what  thou  wouldst  have 
me  to  be  ;  leave  me  not  in  displeasure,  I  beseech  thee." 
All  my  power  to  resist  was  then  suspended ;  I  forgot  the 
great  man  that  had  been  in  my  way ;  and  was  raised  on 
my  feet,  I  hardly  knew  how,  and  expressed  in  a  clear 
and  distinct  manner  what  was  on  my  mind.  When  I 
had  taken  my  seat  Comfort  Hoag  rose,  and  had  an  open, 
favorable  opportunity  to  speak  to  the  assembly.  After 
meeting  she  told  me  that,  during  the  time  we  had  sat  in 
silence,  her  whole  concern  was  on  my  account ;  that  her 
anxiety  for  my  deliverance  from  that  bondage  was  such, 
that  she  was  willing  to  oiFer  up  her  natural  life  to  the 
Lord,  if  it  might  be  a  means  to  bring  me  forth  in  the 
ministry ;  and  that  on  making  the  offering  I  rose  to 
speak.  On  which  her  anxiety  for  me  was  removed,  and 
her  mind  filled  with  concern  for  the  people  present. 
'"  At  that  time  I  was  made  a  real  Quaker,  and  was  not 
ashamed  to  be  seen  trembling  before  the  Lord.  Under 
a  sense  of  so  great  and  merciful  a  deliverance,  I  saw  and 
felt  ample  cause  for  it.  It  was  with  me  as  with  Israel 
of  old,  when  the  Lord  caused  their  captivity  to  return, 
saying  he  would  build  them  as  at  the  first,  and  they 
should  fear  and  tremble  for  all  his  goodness,  and  for  all 
the  prosperity  he  would  procure  for  them.  My  soul  re- 
joiced in  the  Lord,  and  I  magnified  his  excellent  name, 
who  is  worthy  of  all  honor,  glory  and  renown  forever. 

It  appeared  to  me  wonderful,  that  I  should  thus  be 
lifted  out  of  this  horrible  pit  of  my  own  digging  ;  and  I 
was  so  absorbed  in  the  love  and  mercy  of  my  heavenly 
Benefactor,  that  I  was  filled  with  thankfulness  and  praise, 
attended  with  a  desire  that,  in  future;  I  might  diligently 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  09 

watch  and  wait  for  the  pointing  of  his  holy  finger  to 
every  service  he  niip^ht  be  pleased  to  allot  me,  that  so  no 
opportunity  might  be  lost  of  manifesting  my  gratitude 
by  obedience  to  his  will.  My  feelings  were  like  those 
of  a  prisoner  who  had  been  long  in  bonds  and  was  set  at 
liberty. 

This  appearance  in  the  public  ministry  was  in  the  year 
1755,  and  in  the  forty-eighth  year  of  my  age.  After 
which  it  was  never  so  great  a  cross  to  speak  in  meetings 
as  it  had  been  before.  At  many  times,  during  my  long 
silence,  I  had  a  sight  that,  if  I  were  obedient  to  my  dut}', 
I  might  be  made  a  useful  member  of  the  church,  and  as 
a  pillar  in  God's  house  ;  but  having  so  long  rebelled,  I 
now  had  no  reason  to  expect  that  I  should  be  so  useful 
as  I  might  have  been,  had  I  rendered  early  obedience 
to  the  heavenly  call.  However,  it  appeared  necessary, 
if  little  were  committed  to  my  care,  to  bo  faithful  in  that 
little.  Sometimes  I  had  a  hope  of  being  useful  to  my 
fellow  creatures ;  at  other  times  I  was  left  to  myself,  and 
humbled  under  a  sense  of  my  own  inability  to  do  any 
thing  to  the  honor  of  God,  or  the  help  of  others. 

In  the  year  1758,  I  was  received  into  the  meeting  of 
ministers  and  elders ;  and  soon  after  obtained  a  certi- 
ficate to  visit  some  parts  of  York  Government,  and  a 
part  of  Connecticut.  A  companion  was  provided  for  me  ; 
and  we  left  home  on  the  24th  of  the  Third  month, 
1758.  We  visited  about  eighty  meetings,  chiefly 
amongst  those  of  other  societies,  to  our  own  satisfaction  ; 
and,  apparently  so,  to  the  people  generally ;  who  sat  in 
their  meetings  admirably  quiet ;  gave  great  attention  to 
what  was  said  ;  and  were  much  affeated.  They  were 
kind  and  affectionate  ;  and  seemed  unwilling  to  part  with 
us.  I  was  four  months  and  five  days  from  home ;  rode 
about  one  thousand  miles;  and  returned  in  peace,  and 
thankfulness  of  heart  to  the  God  and  Father  of  all  our 
mercies. 

For  some  years  after  this  journey,  I  seldom  appeared' 
in  the  ministry.     My  friends,  as  well  as  myself,  were  iuzj 


70  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

'clincd  to  believe  that  if  ever  I  had  a  gift  for  that  ser- 
vice, it  was  taken  from  me.  I  was  reduced  very  low; 
and  great  distress  attended  my  mind.  I  was  often  ready 
to  sa}'^,  "  Is  God's  mercy  quite  gone  ?  Will  he  be  favor- 
able no  more  ?"  I  went  mourning  on  my  way,  and  had 
^  little  comfort  in  my  life.  In  the  night  I  wished  for  day; 
and  in  the  day  I  wished  for  night.  None  can  conceive 
with  what  horror  and  anxiety  I  was  attended  ;  unless 
thc}^  have  been  tried  with  similar  desertion.  The  cause 
of  my  being  so  tried,  I  did  not  then  see  ;  but  after  I  was 
in  some  measure  mercifully  restored,  I  believed  it  was 
to  humble  me ;  that  I  might  be  brought  to  a  more  per- 
fect and  entire  dependence  upon  the  divine  gift;  that 

^so  nothing  of  .seZ/'should  be  present  in  my  ministry. 

After  it  pleased  the  Lord  to  revisit  my  soul  with  the 
light  of  life,  I  felt  a  concern  to  arise,  and  increase,  for 
the  welfare  of  my  fellow-creatures.  I  sav/  that  the  pro- 
fessors of  Christianity  were  mostly  at  ease ;  and  that 
many  under  our  name  were  contented  with  a  mere  pro- 
fession of  the  Truth  ;  and  I  felt  a  desire  that  the  care- 
less and  negligent  might  be  awakened  to  a  perception  of 
their  dangerous  situation. 

In  the  year  1771,  Samuel  Neale,  of  Ireland,  being  oa 
a  religious  visit  to  Friends  in  America,  came  to  my 
house,  on  his  way  to  Maryland.  Having  no  companion, 
I  offered  to  bear  him  company.  He  accepted  my  offer, 
;ind  we  set  out  in  the  Fifth  month,  and  spent  about  a 
mouth  in  visiting  the  meetings  of  Friends,  as  far  as 
West  lliver  ;  those  on  the  Eastern-Shore  of  Maryland ; 
and  those  between  Lewistown  and  Wilmington.  After 
which  we  rested  a  few  days,  at  my  house.  Samuel  in- 
tended to  visit  the  meeting  of  Friends  in  New  Jersey, 
and  no  better  companion  offering,  I  accompanied  him  in 
that  journey  also.  From  Wilmington  we  went  to  Sa- 
lem ;  and  after  visiting  all  the  meetings  thereabouts,  we 
crossed  the  country  to  Cape  ■May  ;  and  visited  those  of 
Great  and  Little  Egg  Harbor,  Shrewsbury,  and  other 
parts  of  New  Jers<^y,  spending  between  six  and  seven 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  71 

weeks,  to  our  niiitual  satisfaction.  We  parted  at  a  meet- 
ing called  Solomon's ;  Samuel  p;oing  to  Philadelphia, 
and  I  returning  home  ;  where  1  found  my  family  in 
health. 

Soon  after  my  return,  Samuel  wrote  to  me,  desiring  I 
would  prepare  for  a  journey  to  New  England.  It  was 
very  pleasant  to  me,  to  find  he  had  a  concern  to  visit 
my  native  country ;  for  he  had  often  said  he  saw  no  pro- 
bability of  making  such  a  visit.  I  felt  willing  to  go 
with  him,  with  the  approbation  of  my  friends  at  home  ; 
of  which  I  soon  received  their  certiticate  ;  and  made 
ready  for  the  journey.  I  left  home  on  the  10th  of  the 
Ninth  month,  1771  ;  and  went  to  our  Yearly  Meeting 
nt  Philadelphia;  which  proved  to  me  a  good,  comforta- 
ble meeting;  as  I  believe  it  did  to  many  others.  Some 
friends,  whom  1  highly  esteemed,  informed  me  that  they 
were  pleased  with  my  intention  to  accompany  Samuel 
Neale ;  which  afforded  me  some  encouragement ;  for  I 
was  in  a  low  state  of  mind  ;  feeling  a  great  poverty  of 
spirit.  I  was  apprehensive  that  Friends  would  prefer  a 
better  companion  for  him  ;  and  might  advise  me  to  re- 
turn home ;  but  Samuel  seemed  well  pleased  to  find  me 
prepared  for  the  journey. 

After  the  Yearly  Meeting  had  concluded,  we  set  out 
for  New  England  on  the  27th  of  the  Ninth  month  ;  and 
proceeded  directly  to  Railway  ;  where  we  had  a  meeting 
on  First  day  ;  and,  in  the  afternoon,  rode  to  New  York. 
Here  we  had  a  meeting  on  Second  day;  and  rested  the 
day  following.  On  Fourth  day  we  attended  the  monthly 
meeting  at  Newtown,  on  Long  Island.  After  which  we 
returned  to  New  York.  Thence  we  rode  to  Shappaqua  ; 
and  so  on,  to  Ammawalk,  Peachpond,  Oblong,  Shear- 
man's meeting,  Oswego,  Jonathan  Hong's,  Over-tbe- 
Oreek,  Nine  Partners,  and  Salisbury  ;  and  had  meetings 
at  all  those  places  to  pretty  good  satisfaction.  From 
Salisbury  we  rode  about  one  hundred  mik^  eastward  to 
Ijeicester;  had  a  meeting  there  ;  and  lodged  at  the  widow 
Earle's;  another  at  Boston,   and  one   at  Salem.      Af- 


iZ  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

terwards  we  proceeded  in  a  nortli-easterly  direction ;  at- 
tended all  the  meetings  of  Friends,  as  far  as  CascoBay; 
and  one  on  the  other  side  of  the  Bay.  We  crossed  the 
Bay  on  the  27th  of  Tenth  month ;  and  returned  the 
following  day.  On  our  return,  the  wind  was  violent ; 
and  we  appeared  to  be  in  imminent  danger.  There  were 
fourteen  persons  in  the  boat,  which  was  a  small  one,  and 
the  Bay  eighteen  miles  wide ;  but,  through  divine  mer- 
cy, we  landed  safely  at  Falmouth,  and  went  that  night 
to  Benjamin  Wiuslow's.  From  thence  we  travelled 
homeward,  fifty -five  miles,  to  Berwick;  and  attended 
the  quarterly  meeting  at  Dover.  Thence  we  went  to 
Kittery,  Barrington,  Lee,  Epping,  and  to  a  newly  set- 
tled place,  fifty  miles  west  of  Hampton,  called  Ware  ; 
and  had  meetings  at  all  those  places.  From  Ware  we 
returned  to  Hampton  ;  and  thence  proceeded  to  Salem, 
Lynn,  and  Boston;  and  so,  onward,  to  Nantucket;  vi- 
siting meetings  on  the  way.  Afterwards  we  visited  "Rhode 
Island  ;  and  thence  travelled  through  New. England,  and 
York  Government ;  and  arrived  in  Philadelphia  after  an 
absence  of  four  months  and  a  half.  Having  travelled, 
by  land  and  water,  about  seventeen  hundred  miles ;  gene- 
rally to  good  satisfaction.  I  returned  home  in  peace, 
and  found  my  fiimily  well. 

After  this  journe}^,  Samuel  Neale  and  I  were  con- 
cerned to  visit  some  parts  of  York  Government ;  and 
some  within  the  bounds  of  Connecticut.  We  set  out 
on  the  27th  of  the  Fourth  month,  1772,  and  went  to 
the  quarterly  meeting  at  Oblong.  We  spent  about  six 
weeks  in  visiting  the  meetings  of  Friends  ;  and  holding 
some  amoDgst  those  of  other  societies.  On  our  return 
to  Philadelphia,  I  parted  with  my  beloved  friend,  Samuel 
Neale ;  with  whom  I  had  travelled,  altogether,  about 
nine  months. 

On  the  16th  of  the  Tenth  month,  1772,  having  ob- 
tained a  certifi^cate  of  the  concurrence  of  my  friends,  I 
set  out  in  order  to  visit  the  southern  provinces ;  in  com- 
pany with  my  friend,  Bobcrt  \'alentiue ;  whom  I  met 
■At  Yorktown,  in  Penns^'lvauia.     On  the  afternoon  of  the 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS,  l-i 

day  of  our  meeting,  we  rode  to  Newberry;  where  we 
attended  a  meeting  the  following  day  ;  which  was  not 
very  satisfactory.  I  was  very  much  depressed  under  the 
weight  of  the  undertaking ;  which  appeared  a  very 
great  one,  for  two  such  poor  striplings.  For  though  we 
were  not  young  in  years,  yet  we  were  so  in  experience 
as  ministers.  Hitherto,  I  had  generally  travelled  with 
old,  experienced  ministers;  upon  whom  I  could  lean  ;  as 
I  was  too  apt  to  do.  But  now,  under  the  prospect  that 
the  work  would  devolve  with  greater  weight  on  me,  I 
was  much  cast  down  ;  although  Robert  was  a  valuable 
friend,  and  lively  minister.  I  mentioned  to  him  my  dis- 
couragement; but  he  spoke  cheerfully ;  saying  he  believed 
we  should  get  well  along,  if  our  Master  would  go  with 
us  ;  which  he  hoped  would  be  the  case.  On  the  follow- 
ing day  we  had  a  large  meeting  at  Warrington;  and  our 
Master  was  with  us,  indeed ;  and  favored  us  with  his 
life-giving  presence.  It  was  an  aflecting  time.  The 
power  of  Truth  prevailed  over  all.  Life  was  in  domi- 
nion. Divine  Love  filled  many  hearts ;  and  we  parted 
with  the  people  in  much  love  and  tenderness.  This  com- 
fortable meeting  relieved  me  of  my  fears,  and  renewed 
my  faith.  We  now  went  on  pretty  cheerfully ;  under 
the  hope  that  we  should  be  favored,  from  time  to  time, 
with  fresh  supplies  of  divine  help,  through  our  journey. 
We  visited  meetings  on  our  way  to  Fairfax  ;  were  at 
their  monthly  meeting,  and  several  others,  in  that  neigh- 
borhood. At  that  time  our  valuable  friend,  John  Church- 
man, was  at  Fairfax  :  and  we  attended  several  meetings 
with  him.  Robert  and  I  had  an  evening  meeting  at 
Louisburg.  It  was  held  in  their  court-house,  and  many 
of  their  great  people  were  present.  It  proved  a  very 
trying  time  to  us  both ;  such  as  I  had  never  known  be- 
fore. But,  after  we  had  been  sufficiently  tried  and  mor- 
tified, we  were  favored  v/ith  a  good,  comfortable  oppor- 
tunity to  relieve  ourselves ;  for  which  I  was  truly  and 
humbly  thankful.  John  Churchman  remained  at  Amos 
Jauney's,  in  Fairfax,  until  we  had  visited  all  the  meet- 
7 


<4  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

iugs  in  that  neighborhood.  After  finishing  this  service, 
we  returned  to  Amos  Jauney's ;  and  from  thence  set  out 
on  our  journey  southward.  At  partiugwith  John  Church- 
man, he  told  us  he  had  no  objections  to  our  going  for- 
ward ;  which  afforded  us  great  encouragement.  I  was 
inclined  to  believe  he  would  advise  me  to  return  home ; 
and  not  attempt  further  to  execute  my  enterprise.  I  con- 
cluded he  would  perceive  our  weakness,  and  be  honest  to 
us  in  the  cause  of  Truth  ;  and  I  felt  willing  to  re- 
ceive such  advice,  not  desiring  to  proceed  without  di- 
vine approbation.  But,  notwithstanding  we  had  been 
encouraged  to  proceed,  I  went  on  in  great  fear ;  having 
a  daily  sense  of  of  my  own  insufficiency  for  so  great  and 
important  a  service.  We,  however,  ventured  to  proceed 
to  Hopewell ;  and  attended  all  the  meetings  in  that 
neighborhood  ;  then  went  to  Smith's  Creek ;  thence  to 
Douglass,  Camp  Creek,  Fork  Creek,  and  Genito  ;  to  John 
Johnson's,  in  Amelia  county ;  to  South  Eiver,  a  branch 
of  James'  River ;  to  Stanton ;  and  so  on,  to  North  Caro- 
lina. We  had  meetings  at  all  these,  and  some  other 
places.  In  New-Garden  settlement  we  were  at  one  Quar- 
terly meeting,  three  Monthly  meetings,  and  eighteen  pub- 
lic meetings.  Though  we  had  our  trials  and  baptizing 
seasons,  and  felt  need  of  daily  assistance,  the  great  Shep- 
herd of  Israel  was  near  us  and  favored  us  with  help. 
We  felt  great  love  for  the  people ;  and  I  hope  our  visit 
may  be  useful  to  some  of  them. 

Soon  after  we  entered  New-Garden  settlement,  and 
before  we  had  a  meeting  there,  my  companion  heard  a 
report  that  a  letter  had  come  for  me  ;  and  that  it  con- 
tained bad  news.  It  was  said  the  letter  had  passed  us  ; 
and  when,  or  where,  it  would  be  found,  was  very  uncer- 
tain. My  companion  consulted  with  some  friends  on 
the  subject ;  and  they  thought  it  would  be  best  to  con- 
ceal the  report  from  me;  as  we  were  just  going  to  the 
first  meeting  in  the  settlement.  However,  as  we  rode 
along,  he  thought  it  right  to  inform  me  of  the  rumor ; 
and  told  me  it  was  reported  I  was  sent  for  home.     On 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  75 

hearinp;  iti  was  filled  with  concern  ;  the  enemy  was  busy ; 
and  I  was  weak  ;  yet  I  continued  my  journey  ;  although 
I  had  poor  meetings.  I  supposed  my  friends  were  un- 
easy with  my  proceedings ;  and  had.  sent  to  request  mo 
to  return.  The  report  concerning  the  letter  spread 
among  the  people  :  and  it  was  currently  asserted  that 
Wilmington  was  burnt  to  ashes ;  that  all  my  property 
was  consumed  ;  and  that  I  was  sent  for  on  that  account. 
These  were  heavy  tidings  ;  and  all  true,  for  anything  I 
knew  to  the  contrary.  After  several  days  of  great  anx- 
iety, a  hope  arose  in  my  mind  that  it  was  not  so  bad  as 
was  reported ;  for,  as  I  turned  my  mind  towards  home, 
it  seemed  to  me,  that  my  dwelling  house  at  least  was  safe. 
I  had  now  been  about  ten  days  under  this  trouble,  when 
we  lodged  at  the  house  of  a  Friend  whose  wife  was  a 
sensible,  religious  woman,  well  acquainted  with  the 
snares  of  the  enemy  ;  and  she,  hearing  me  say  some- 
thing of  returning,  as  I  could  hear  nothing  further  of 
the  letter,  told  me  she  believed  there  was  little  or  no 
tnith  in  the  reports ;  but  that  it  was  the  work  of  Satan 
and  his  emissaries,  to  hinder  my  service,  and  send  me 
home.     This  was  a  seasonable  caution. 

When  we  had  visited  nearly  all  the  meetings  in  that 
neighborhood,  and  as  we  designed  to  proceed  to  Bush 
River,  in  South  Carolina,  I  thought  it  best  to  use  every 
means  to  find  the  letter,  before  we  went  further.  I  there- 
fore hired  a  young  man  to  go  back  in  pursuit  of  the  let- 
ter as  far  as  Hillsborough,  sixty  miles,  if  necessary.  Af- 
ter proceeding  about  thirty  miles  in  the  search,  he  found 
it ;  and  brought  it  to  me,  just  as  we  were  going  into  a 
meeting.  I  opened  and  read  the  letter,  much  to  my 
comfort.  There  was  no  account  of  tire,  or  any  other 
unpleasant  occurrence  in  it.  Thus  all  my  uneasiness 
was  removed. 

This  storm  being  happily  blown  over,  we  set  out  for 
South  Carolina.  Zachariah  Dicks,  John  Carter,  Wil- 
liam Lindley,  and  John  Unthank,  accompanied  us  to 
Bush  River,  two  hundred  miles;  which  we  travelled  in 


76  MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS. 

five  days.  Two  of  the  Friends  remained  at  Bush  lliver, 
while  we  went  to  Georgia.  We  went  afterwards  to  Wa- 
teree  and  Pedee.  xVt  the  latter  place  we  had  two  meet- 
ings with  Friends.  There  we  parted  with  the  Friends 
before  mentioned.  They  had  been  our  pleasant  and  af- 
fectionate companions  for  about  a  month.  After  our 
separation,  Eobert  and  I  felt  lonesome  ;  having  to  ride 
one  hundred  and  twenty  miles  before  we  could  come 
amongst  Friends  again.  During  two  days  we  had  guides 
to  conduct  us  ;  then,  hoping  we  should  be  able  to  find  the 
way  without  their  assistance,  we  advised  them  to  return 
home.  We  arrived  at  Richard  Cox's,  at  Neuse  lliver,  in 
safety;  and  after  having  two  satisfactory  meetings  there, 
we  rode  fifteen  miles,  to  Great  Contentney ;  where  we 
had  a  meeting.  From  thence,  we  went  to  Henry  Home's 
at  Tar  River,  and  had  a  meeting  at  his  house;  which 
was  a  poor,  low  time.  The  professors  there  seemed  in- 
clined to  the  Baptists.  From  Tar  River  we  went  to  Rich 
Square  ;  and,  after  attending  their  meeting,  we  set  out 
towards  the  old  settlement,  in  Xorth  Carolina.  As  we 
proceeded  towards  the  lower  settlements,  in  Carolina  and 
Virginia,  among  a  wise  people,  as  I  supposed,  fat  and 
full,  possessing  great  numbers  of  slaves,  I  was  very  pen- 
sive;  and  so  much  depressed,  that  I  would  gladly  have 
passed  them  by,  and  returned  immediately  home.  But 
I  saw  no  way  for  me,  but  to  look  to  my  divine  Instructor; 
and  depend  on  Him  who  had  hitherto  been  our  sufficient 
helper,  in  every  strait  and  difficulty.  After  a  time  of 
trial,  I  was  favored  with  a  degree  of  fortitude  and  resig- 
nation. I  went  down  among  them  in  fear;  but  we 
found  some  tender,  loving,  well-inclined  people ;  and 
were  favored  with  heavenly  help,  and  enabled  to  proceed, 
I  hope,  to  the  honor  of  Truth,  and  advantage  of  the 
people;  for  many  of  whom  we  felt  a  tender  regard,  and 
parted  with  them  in  much  love. 

Although  they  were  generally  in  the  practice  of  keep- 
ing slaves,  yet  they  had  begun  to  see  the  error  of  it,  and 
were  desirous  to  be  relieved  of  the  burden,  but  saw  no 


MEMOIRS    OF    DAVID    FERRIS.  77 

way  to  effect  it,  to  the  satisftiction  of  themselves  and  their 
slaves,  because  of  the  cruel  laws  in  force  in  these  colo- 
nies ;  by  which,  if  a  man  set  his  slaves  free,  they  would 
be  liable  to  be  seized  and  sold  to  the  highest  bidder; 
which  appeared  grievous,  both  to  themselves  and  their 
owners. 

We  visited  nearly  all  the  meetings  in  the  lower  parts 
of  North  Carolina  and  Virginia,  to  our  satisfaction.  We 
then  passed  into  Maryland,  and  visited  the  meetings  on 
the  western  shore  as  far  as  Baltimore ;  from  thence  we 
came  directly  home.  I  found  my  family  and  temporal 
concerns  as  well  as  usual ;  and  had  great  peace  and  satis- 
faction of  mind,  under  a  thankful  sense  of  the  many 
favors  we  had  received,  and  that  divine  assistance  had 
been  afforded  in  every  trying  season.  We  had  been  en- 
gaged in  this  visit  just  five  months  ;  had  travelled  nearly 
three  thousand  miles;  had  attended  one  hundred  and 
five  public  meetings ;  and  arrived  at  home  on  the  16tli 
of  the  Third  month,  1773. 

After  my  return  from  this  journey  I  did  not  travel  far 
from  home  until  the  Fifth  month,  1776  ;  when,  in  com- 
pany with  John  Perry,  I  left  home  to  pay  a  religious 
visit  to  Friends  in  New  England. 

5th  month  19th,  we  attended  Ilaverford  meeting,  and 
next  day  reached  Isaac  Bolton's,  in  Bucks  County ; 
thence  to  llahway,  where  wc  met  with  Rebecca  Wright 
and  Phebe  Yarnall,  who  were  engaged  on  a  similar  visit 
to  New  England;  and  after  being  at  Kahway  Meeting, 
we  went  on  together  to  New  York.  24th,  we  were  at  a 
meeting  at  Flushing,  on  Long  Island.  After  having 
several  other  meetings  on  the  island,  we  returned  to  the 
main  land,  and  had  a  meeting  at  Westchester  on  the 
28th ;  thence  to  Mamaroneck  and  Purchase,  where  the 
negro  masters  were  closely  dealt  with  in  the  public  service 
of  the  meeting. 

After  having  a  meeting  at  North  Castle,  we  went  on 
to  Kichard  Titus's,  at  Greenwich,  forty  miles  eastward 


(Q  MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID    FERRIS. 

of  New  York,  in  Connecticut  government,  and  had  a 
meeting  at  Jesse  Hallock's,  who  married  Edward  Bur- 
ling's  daughter.  Charles  Brock  having  accompanied  us 
from  Eahway,  we  were  now  joined  by  John  Alsop,  who 
came  to  pilot  us,  and  we  all  set  forward  on  the  3d  of  6th 
month  through  Connecticut  towards  Khode  Island.  Going 
by  way  of  New  Milford,  New  Haven,  Guilford,  Seabrook, 
and  New  London  to  Stonington,  on  the  6th  we  arrived 
at  John  Collius's  and  attended  Hopkinton  meeting,  which 
was  held  in  silence,  except  that  John  Perry  said  a  few 
words  near  the  close. 

1th.  "We  had  an  appointed  meeting  at  Hopkinton, 
which  was  a  more  open  time  ;  next  day  we  had  a  hard, 
laborious  meeting  at  Westerly  ;  but  something  was  com- 
municated to  the  people  near  the  close  for  their  help,  if 
they  would  accept  it.  Thence,  with  Thomas  Wilbur  for 
a  guide,  we  went  to  Jonathan  Hoxie's  and  lodged,  and 
next  day  attended  Richmond  meeting,  which  was  a  good, 
comfortable  time.  After  a  satisfactory  sitting  at  John 
Knowles's,  where  we  dined,  we  went  on  to  South  Kings- 
ton, or  the  Upper  Meeting,  which  we  attended  on  the 
10th  of  6th  month  ;  and  next  day  were  at  the  Lower 
Meeting,  where,  after  long  and  close  exercise,  we  had  a 
favored  opportunity  together.  After  dining  at  Thomas 
Hazard's,  we  crossed  the  two  ferries  and  arrived  at  New- 
port on  Rhode  Island.  The  rest  of  our  company  remain- 
ing there,  John  Perry  and  I  rode  out  of  town  to  James 
Mitchell's,  where  we  were  kindly  received  and  enter- 
tained. 

12/7/.  We  attended  the  Meeting  for  Sufferings,  held 
at  Portsmouth,  and  were  at  several  sittings  with  them  to 
satisfaction.  We  attended  all  the  sittings  of  the  Yearly 
Meeting  to  edification  and  comfort.  The  meeting  closed 
on  the  18th,  and  next  day  we  had  an  appointed  meeting 
at  Seaconnet.  tZUth,  wc  attended  Accoaksett  Monthly 
Meeting,  and  the  dny  following  had  a  large  meeting  held 


MEMOIRS    OF   DAVIT)    FKRRIS.  79 

in  an  orchard,  for  it  was  supposed  that  one-half  the 
people  could  not  have  got  into  the  meeting  house  ;  but 
it  was  mostly  a  silent  opportunity.  We  then  rode  six 
miles  to  Accushnet,  and  attended  meeting  there  on  First 
day;  thence  to  New  Bedford,  and  lodged  at  Joseph 
Retch's.  On  Second  day  we  were  at  Aponegansett 
Monthly  Meeting,  which  was  very  large,  and  a  favored 
season.  Returning  again  to  Joseph  Rotch's,  we  next 
day  at  sunrise  went  on  board  S.  Starbuck's  sloop,  bound 
for  Nantucket;  and  in  eight  hours  cast  anchor  without 
the  bar,  but  got  in  near  night  and  lodged  at  William 
Rotch's. 

We  spent  several  days  on  Nantucket  visiting  aged  and 
sick  people,  and  had  several  very  large  public  meetings, 
also  were  at  their  Monthly  Meeting.  On  the  2d  of  7th 
month  we  again  embarked  with  Samuel  Starbuck,  and  in 
five  hours  landed  at  Wood's  Hole,  where  we  lodged  at 
the  widow  Wing's.  Next  day  had  a  satisfactory  meeting 
at  Falmouth  ;  and  the  day  following,  after  dining  at  Ben- 
jamin Swift's,  we  rode  16  miles  to  Sandwich,  and  lodged 
at  Joshua  Wing's.  After  attending  the  several  sittings 
of  the  Quarterly  Meeting  held  at  Sandwich,  Phebe  Yar- 
nall  and  Rebecca  Wright  left  us  and  went  on  toward 
Cape  (^od.  We  had  travelled  together  in  much  unity 
and  harmony  for  about  seven  weeks,  and  now  parted  in 
the  same,  their  prospect  leading  towards  Boston  and 
eastward.  John  Perry  and  I  staid  at  meeting  at  Sand- 
wich on  First  day,  and  next  day  had  a  meeting  at 
Rochester  in  the  morning,  also  one  in  the  afternoon  at 
Long  Plain. 

Ninth  of  Seventh  mouth  we  rode  through  Taunton  to 
Moses  Brown's,  near  Providence,  and  next  day  went  to 
the  Meeting  for  Sufferings  held  at  Smithfield.  At  this 
meetiiig  the  sorrowful  aft'air  of  T.  Davis  was  discoursed 
of.  We  then  attended  the  Quarterly  Meeting  held  at 
Smithfield,  and  returned  to  Moses  Brown's.  On  First 
day  we  were  at  the  morning  and  afternoon  meetings 


80  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

held  at  Providence.  On  the  14th  we  attended  a  poor 
meeting  at  Greenwich,  and  lodged  at  Benjamin  Cong- 
don's;  next  day,  had  a  very  satisfactory  meeting  at  Ne- 
shanticut,  in  which  the  seasoning  virtue  of  Truth  was 
felt  to  our  mutual  edification.  We  had  the  company  of 
Moses  Brown,  his  wife's  mother,  and  sister  Mary  Olney, 
Job  Scott,  Samuel  Rodman  and  divers  other  Friends, 
who  dined  with  us  at  the  house  of  Elisha  Harris,  a  man 
partly  convinced  of  Friends'  principles.  Here  we  had  a 
blessed  opportunity  together — a  time  of  the  renewing  of 
life,  in  which  the  Divine  blaster  was  with  us,  strength- 
ening and  uniting  us  in  the  love  of  the  gospel. 

On  the  17th,  we  attended  old  Smithfield  Preparative 
Meeting,  and  next  day  that  at  AVainsokett,  which  was 
comfortable.  Thence  we  went  to  Moses  Farnum's,  at 
Uxbridge,  and  were  at  a  meeting  there  the  day  following. 
On  First  day,  the  21st,  we  attended  the  meeting  at  Scitu- 
ate,  which  was  very  full,  being  composed  of  people  of 
divers  professions  ;  but  ability  was  given  to  say  what 
seemed  necessary  for  the  occasion.  At  this  place  John 
Perry  was  poorly,  and  jMoses  Farnum  and  Moses  Brown 
stayed  with  us  and  lodged  at  Gideon  Harris's.  Next 
morning  these  Friends  left  us,  and  in  the  afternoon  we 
set  out  for  Hartford  in  Connecticut.  Passing  through 
Coventry,  Plainfield  and  Windham,  we  reached  Hartford, 
and  thence  rode  on  through  Farmington,  Waterbury  and 
Woodbury  to  my  brother-in-law  Dobson  Wheeler's,  at 
New  Milford,  where  we  attended  their  Fifth  day  meeting, 
and  then  went  to  see  sister  Sarah  Noble.  We  also  visited 
Joseph  Ferris's  family,  and  on  First  day  attended  Friends 
meeting  on  the  Plain,  which  was  but  a  poor  and  low 
time.  In  the  afternoon  we  had  a  meeting  at  the  sepa- 
rate meeting  house  in  New  Milford,  the  Baptist  and 
Presbyterian  teachers  being  present;  but  they  were  too 
full  of  expectation  of  words,  of  which  I  had  not  much 
■for  them,  and  John  Perry  thought  no  fish  were  caught. 
29th,  we  rode  to  the  Oblong,  and  next  day  had  a  good 


MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS.  81 

lueetinp;  at  the  Nine  Partners.  "NYc  tlieu  went  to  my 
brotlior  Benjamin  Ferris's,  at  Oblong,  and  attended 
meeting  there. 

On  the  1st  of  the  8th  month,  in  company  with  Wil- 
liam Kussel  and  Paul  Osborn,  v>'e  set  out  and  went  for- 
ward toward  the  North  River,  which  we  crossed  at  New 
Windsor,  being  upwards  of  two  miles  wide,  and  lodged 
at  a  tavern  about  forty-three  miles  from  Oblong.  Next 
day  we  reached  Benjamin  Schooley's,  at  Pauline  Hill, 
and  the  day  following  got  to  the  Great  Meadows,  and 
attended  Hardwich  meeting  on  the  4th,  which  was  to 
pretty  good  satisfaction.  Thence  we  went  on  through 
Kingwood,  and  lodged  at  Samuel  Eastburn's,  in  Bucks 
County,  Pennsylvania,  and  thence  home,  from  which  I 
had  been  absent  eleven  weeks.  We  had  travelled,  by 
land  and  water,  eight  hundred  miles.  I  was  favored 
with  peace  of  mind,  and  found  my  family  well. 

1779, 5  mo.  21.  lam  now  drawing  towards  the  conclusion 
of  life,  being,  this  day,  seventy-two  years  of  age.  For  the 
encouragement  of  others,  I  will  now  briefly  recapitulate 
some  of  the  kind  dealings  of  Providence  towards  me. 
The  (Jod  of  my  life,  my  >Iaker  and  Preserver,  has  been 
propitious  to  me,  from  youth  to  old  age.  The  fear  of 
the  Lord,  which  preserves  from  evil,  was  placed  in  my 
heart  when  I  was  but  eight  years  old,  so  that  I  was  afraid 
to  offend  him.  In  the  twelfth  year  of  my  age  I  was 
mercifully  visited,  and  called  out  of  the  vanities  of  the 
world ;  at  which  time  1  received  a  promise,  that  if  I 
sought  first  the  kingdom  of  God,  all  other  necessary 
things  should  be  added ;  and  I  have  found  the  promise 
true,  for  I  never  have  wanted  any  of  the  good  things  of 
this  life.  I  have  been  blessed  with  sufficient  for  myself 
and  friends,  and  something  to  spare  to  the  poor.  And 
I  esteem  it  a  great  favor  that  I  received  a  disposition  to 
communicate  to  those  who  stood  in  need.  If  all  men 
would  "  seek  first  the  kingdom  of  heaven  and  the  righte- 


52  MEMOIRS   OF   DAVID   FERRIS. 

ousness  thereof,"  and  carefully  attend  to  the  leadings  of 
the  Holy  Spirit,  with  which  all  might  be  favored,  I  be- 
lieve they  would  be  blest  with  a  sufficient  portion  of 
wealth.  0,  that  mankind  were  wise  !  and  would  early 
seek  that  treasure  which  cometh  from  above,  and  which 
neither  moth  nor  rust  can  cornipt,  nor  thieves  break 
through  and  steal !  And  may  we  all  beware  of  loving 
the  world,  and  living  at  ease  in  the  enjoyment  of  its  good 
and  pleasant  things  !  Even  those  who  have  been  favored 
with  remarkable  divine  visitations,  and  have  been  put 
in  possession  of  "  the  upper  and  the  nether  springs," 
have  great  need  to  be  on  their  guard.  When  we  enjoy 
health  and  plenty,  and  all  things  seem  pleasant  around 
us,  we  are  prone  to  forget  the  Lord,  and  neglect  those 
^^  things  that  belong  to  our  peace."  This  I  know  by 
sorrowful  experience.  In  this  way  I  was  brought  into  a 
long,  dark  and  mournful  situation,  and  kept  from  yielding 
obedience  to  my  own  duty  respecting  the  ministry.  Al- 
though I  had  been  called  out  of  the  world  and  uncom- 
monly favored,  as  before  related  ;  although  I  had  forsaken 
the  vanities  and  flesh-pleasing  gratifications  in  which  I 
had  delighted  ;  although  I  had  left  the  college  in  a  way 
so  mortifying  -,  had  given  up  all  to  death,  and  freely  borne 
the  cross  of  being  esteemed  a  fool  by  the  world ;  after- 
wards joining  with  the  despised  Quakers,  adopting  their 
language,  dress  and  behaviour ;  all  which  I  could  not 
have  done  without  divine  assistance  ;  yet,  after  all  this, 
I  was  so  forgetful  and  ungrateful  to  my  heavenly  Bene- 
factor, that  it  is  a  wonder  I  was  ever  restored.  And  I 
have  no  doubt  that  thousands,  through  negligence,  even 
after  they  have  been  called  out  of  the  world,  and  have 
run  well  for  a  season,  have  been  finally  lost;  stvimming 
away  in  the  riches  and  pleasures  of  this  transitory  state. 
This  I  have  written  for  a  warning  to  others. 

In  the  early  part  of  the  winter,  after  my  return  from 
New  England  in  1770,  I  was  reduced  to  a  poor  state  of 
health,  and  so  continue.  I  believe  I  have  not  lately 
been  ever  clear  of  a  slow  fever ;  but  have  generally  been 


MEMOIRS    OF   DAVID    FERRIS.  83 

able  to  go  to  our  religious  meetings  at  and  near  home , 
sometimes  to  Philadelphia,  and  once  into  Maryland,  the 
lower  counties  on  Delaware,  &c.  &c. 

DAVID  FERRIS. 
Wilmington y  bth  month,  1779. 


ATPENDIX. 

The  followino:  letters,  on  the  subject  of  Shivery,  give  a 
lively  view  of  the  concern  under  which  our  predecessoi-s 
labored  in  the  cause  of  African  Emancipation.  With 
them  it  was  a  rellgioKSi  concern.  We  of  the  present  gene- 
ration can  have  no  adequate  idea  of  the  trials  which  our 
Friends  of  that  day  endured,  in  the  prosecution  of  the 
subject.  To  many  of  them  it  involved  the  most  serious 
consequences,  even  the  exchange  of  affluence  and  ease 
for  poverty  and  hardship.  Nothing  but  relvjious  concern 
could  have  prepared  them  to  make  such  a  sacrifice ;  no- 
thing but  a  reli</ioi(S  ground  could  have  supported  them 
under  it.  To  them  the  call  was  extended,  as  it  was  to 
the  young  man  mentioned  by  the  Evangelist — "  Go  sell 
all  that  thou  hast  and  give  to  the  poor,  and  thou  shalt 
have  treasure  in  heaven."  In  obedience  to  that  call,  and 
with  faith  in  the  providence  of  God,  they  went  up  to  the 
altar,  and  laid  upon  it  "  even  all  their  living."  No  po- 
litical or  selfish  motives  stained  the  purity  of  their  offer 
ing;  no  love  of  popularity  or  of  personal  distinction 
swayed  their  conduct.  Love  to  God  and  man  was  their 
spring  of  action,  and  peace  of  mind  their  ultimate  object. 
The  letters  on  the  subject  of  slavery  which  immediately 
follow,  are  inserted  with  the  view  to  illustrate  the  fore- 
8 


86  APPENDIX. 

going  remarks,  and  as  aifording  a  rare  specimen  of  that 
afiectionatep/am  deaUn(/  which,  then  marked  the  charac- 
ter of  Friends,  and  which  was  soon  followed  by  such 
abundance  of  fruit.  David  Ferris  was  a  contemporary 
and  fellow-laborer  with  John  Woolman  and  Anthony 
Benezet,  being  intimately  acquainted  with  both.  Like 
them,  he  made  universal  benevolence  the  ground  and 
spring  of  his  action  j  like  them  he  sought  Divine  direc- 
tion, and  was  careful  to  follow  it.  Under  the  holy  in- 
fluence of  love,  and  from  the  pure  impulse  of  religious 
concern,  he  used  to  go  forth  alone  to  visit  those  who 
held  slaves  ;  travelling  from  neighborhood  to  neighbor- 
hood, and  from  house  to  house;  and,  while  earnestly 
pleading  the  cause  of  the  colored  man,  was  as  earnestly 
concerned  for  the  freedom  and  salvation  of  his  master. 
Great  was  the  work,  and  wonderful  the  result  of  their 
labors.  Many  who  saw  the  first  action  of  the  Society  of 
Friends  in  the  cause  of  Africau  Emancipation,  lived  to 
see  that  Society  wholly  disenthralled,  standing  before  the 
world  without  a  slave  within  its  borders. 

The  success  of  their  undertaking  furnishes  a  striking 
instance  of  the  great  importance  of  adopting  right  means 
for  the  accomplishment  of  a  right  end. 

The  letters  on  other  subjects  are  added  a^  further  il- 
lustrating the  religious  character  of  David  Ferris,  and 
exhibiting  his  concern  for  the  promotion  of  Truth  and 
llighteousness.  The  weighty  counsel  and  sound  Grospel 
truths  they  contain,  are  as  appropriate  and  instructive  at 
the  present  day,  as  they  were  at  the  time  when  they  were 
written. 


APPENDIX.  87 


Wilmington,  y'  20th  9  mo.,  1767. 
Dejxr  Fnends^  Samuel  Field  and  Wife: — 

I  have  been  acquainted  with  you  for  many  years,  and 
have  always  entertained  for  you  a  sincere  regard  and 
esteem,  with  desires  for  your  present  and  eternal  welfare. 
I  have  remembered  a  charge  given  to  Israel  of  old — 
''  Thou  shalt  not  hate  thy  brother  in  thy  heart,  but  shalt 
in  any  wise  rebuke  him,  aud  not  suffer  sin  upon  him." 
Whether  you  continue  to  hold  slaves  or  not  I  am  not 
informed,  but,  if  you  are  yet  in  that  practice,  I  wish  you 
seriously  to  consider  the  law  that  was  given  forth  under 
the  present  dispensation,  on  this  wise,  "  Whatsoever  ye 
would  that  men  should  do  to^'ou,  do  ye  even  so  to  them.'' 

Now,  I  wish  you  to  compare  your  own  conduct  with 
this  law.  Would  you  be  willing  your  own  children 
should  be  taken  into  some  remote  land,  and  they  and 
their  posterity  brought  up  in  ignorance,  and  held  in  per- 
petual slavery  ?  Or  would  you  like  that  one  of  your 
neighbors,  who  had  the  power,  should  act  so  by  your  own 
family,  and  refuse  to  listen  to  any  entreaty  for  your  re- 
lease ?  If  any  neighbor  should  treat  you  and  your  chil- 
dren in  this  manner,  what  sort  of  a  Christian  would  you 
judge  him  to  be  ? 

The  law  I  have  recited  was  enacted  under  the  Chris- 
tian dispensation,  and  ought  to  be  the  rule  of  our  con- 
duct. It  relates  to  all  men,  of  all  nations,  colors  and 
languages,  of  every  rank  and  degree,  to  an  Ethiopian  or 
African  equally  with  an  Englishman  or  American.  The 
poor  Blacks  have  the  same  right  to  freedom  that  we  have, 
and  Truth  and  Righteousness  require  that  it  should  be 
granted  to  them.  Now,  if  justice  demands  that  they 
should  be  treated  like  other  men,  where  does  the  slave- 
holder stand,  and  what  is  his  condition  ?  Is  he  not 
robbing  his  neighbor  and  oppressing  the  poor,  who  have 
none  to  help  them  nor  plead  their  cause '/  It  is  high 
time  for  slaveholders  to  look  about  them,  and  speedily 


88  APPENDIX. 

to  devise  measures  to  extricate  tliemselves  from  the  ini- 
quity of  their  conduct,  before  it  be  too  late. 

Now,  my  dear  friends,  your  time,  as  well  as  my  own, 
is  far  spent,  and  I  much  desire  that  your  conduct  in  re- 
lation to  slave-keeping,  as  well  as  to  all  other  concerns, 
may  be  such,  that  you  may  lay  down  your  heads  in  peace 
at  last. 

I  am  satisfied,  that  if  you  had  duly  considered  this 
subject,  and  laid  aside  all  consideration  of  worldly  inte- 
rests, you  would  long  ago  have  released  the  captive  from 
his  bonds,  and  have  let  the  oppressed  go  free ;  for  I  be- 
lieve it  is  as  honest,  and  as  consistent  with  Christianity, 
to  take  a  man's  money  or  goods  for  nothing,  as  it  is  to 
take  his  labor.  Besides,  there  is  something  worse  in  the 
iniquity  of  slavery  than  taking  his  labor  without  com- 
pensation. The  poor  slave  is  not  only  defrauded  of  his 
liberty ;  he  is  forced  to  come  and  go  at  the  command  of 
another,  when  many  times,  from  want  of  health,  he  is 
not  fit  to  perform  the  service  required.  Yet  they  are 
obliged  to  obey,  and  do  often  obey  under  great  sufl'ering 
and  hardship.  Now,  this  is  grievous  oppression,  of 
which  every  slave-keeper  is  guilty  more  or  less. 

The  Scriptures  declare  that  ''  he  who  oppresseth  the 
poor  reproachcth  his  Maker,"  and  among  all  mankind 
I  know  of  none  who  are  poorer,  or  more  oppressed,  than 
the  poor  Africans,  under  the  professors  of  Christianity. 
Besides,  they  ace  generally  brought  up  in  ignorance. 
As  an  unrighteous  covetousness  is  the  motive  for  hold- 
ing them  as  slaves,  so  it  is  for  keeping  them  in  ignorance. 
Learning  cannot  be  acquired  without  an  expense  of  time 
and  money.  Some  masters  and  mistresses  are  so  void  of 
Christianity  (although  they  profess  it)  that  they  are  not 
ashamed  to  use  this  as  an  argument  to  defend  their  con- 
duct, adding,  as  a  further  justification,  that  learning  will 
not  make  them  better  but  worse  slaves !  Others,  who 
do  not  venture  so  to  express  themselves,  follow  the  same 
course  and  for  the  same  reasons. 

Very  few  of  the  masters  are  concerned  to  teach  or  in- 


APPENDIX.  89 

stmct  their  slaves  in  the  principles  of  the  Christian  re- 
ligion— to  bring  them  np  in  the  right  way,  or  to  take 
them  diligently  to  places  of  worship.  To  the  shame  of 
their  profession,  it  may  be  said,  they  manifest  little  care 
on  the  subject.  Indeed,  it  could  hardly  be  expected 
that  those  whose  practice  is  so  repugnant  to  Christianity, 
should  incline  to  teach  their  slaves  its  principles  ;  be- 
cause, if  it  were  honestly  done,  the  slave  would  be  taught 
to  condemn  the  master,  and  to  upbraid  him  with  acting 
inconsistently  with  his  own  principles.  If  slaveholders 
were  to  teach  their  negroes  to  read  and  write,  to  give 
them  good  instruction,  to  use  all  reasonable  means  to 
promote  their  attendance  at  meetings  for  divine  worship, 
they  might  indeed  have  less  to  answer  for  than  they 
have  who  icholly  neglect  these  duties.  But  all  this  would 
not  relieve  the  oppressed,  nor  restore  them  to  their  just 
rights.  Their  owners  would  still  be  their  oppressors  ; 
the  oppressed  would  still  cry  to  heaven,  and  heaven 
would  still  hear  their  cries.  My  desire  for  you  is,  that 
you  may  so  act  as  to  stand  clear,  and  be  acquitted  in 
the  day  of  account. 

I  pity  the  slaveholder  far  more  than  I  pity  his  slaves, 
because  I  believe  him  to  be  in  a  worse  condition  than 
they.  I  should  choose  rather  to  he  the  slave  than  his  mas- 
ter or  mistress.* 

If  you  yet  hold  any  slaves,  I  do  entreat  you  to  set 
them  free  immediately.  Teach  your  children  by  example 
to  shun  the  gain  of  oppression.  Do  not  transfer  your 
negroes  to  your  offspring,  nor  leave  them  so  that  your 

•  This  letter  was  written  in  the  year  17C7,  eighteen  years 
before  Coivper  7vrote  "  The  Tan/.,''  It  is  pleasing  to  see  the 
generous  and  truly  Christian  sentiment  contained  in  this  para- 
graph, so  elegantly  expressed  by  the  poet,  after  the  lapse  of  so 
many  years : 

" :  dear  as  freedom  is,  and,  in  my  heart's 

Just  estimation,  prized  above  all  price  ; 

I  had  murit  rather  he  myself  the  slave, 

And  wear  the  boJ/dsy  than  fastfn  them  on  him.'' 

Cowper's  Task,  Book  2d,  line  33,  &c. 
8» 


90  APPENDIX. 

children  shall  expect  any  thing  from  them,  or  be  laid 
under  any  temptation  to  become  their  oppressors.  Set 
them  all  free  now,  whilst  it  is  in  your  power.  Give  them 
a  full  discharge  in  writing ;  and  by  a  bond  secure  to  the 
minors  their  freedom,  when  they  shall  arrive  at  age. 
Let  the  manumissions  be  legally  drawn  and  executed, 
so  that  neither  you  nor  your  children,  nor  any  other 
person,  may  take  them  again  into  bondage.  Let  these 
instruments  of  writing  be  duly  and  safely  recorded. 

Do  not  plead  that  your  slaves  are  too  old,  or  say  they 
are  drunken  or  thievish,  and  will  not  be  able  to  get  their 
living.  All  these  things  are  nothing  to  you !  Do  your 
duty,  and  then  leave  them  to  Providence.  You  have 
no  more  cause  to  be  concerned  about  their  future  con- 
duct, than  you  have  about  the  conduct  of  others.  Only 
do  your  duty  and  you  may  trust  for  the  rest. 

As  to  their  age,  if  they  were  even  seventy  years  old 
they  ought  to  be  liberated,  and  breathe  a  free  air  as  long 
as  they  can  breathe  at  all,  and  to  be  well  cared  for,  and 
kindly  treated  and  maintained.  Those  who  have  served 
thirty  or  forty  years,  ought  not,  by  any  means,  to  be  sent 
away  empty,  but  should  be  liberally  furnished  out  of 
your  stock.  Israel  of  old  was  commanded,  on  liberating 
their  bretliren  who  had  been  bond-servants,  that  they 
should  not  let  them  go  away  empty  ;  ^'  thou  shalt  furnish 
him  liberally,  out  of  that  with  Avhich  the  Lord  thy  God 
hath  blessed  thee.'^  In  this  gospel  dispensation  all  man- 
kind are  our  brethren,  and  ought  to  be  treated  as  such. 

Suppose  a  man  has  served  until  he  is  40  years  old, 
that  is  19  years  more  than  is  just;  and  his  service  has 
been  well  worth  £V1  per  annum,  amounting  to  ^228. 
Now,  to  turn  such  a  one  away  and  give  him  nothing  is 
unchristian,  yea,  it  is  dishonest !  It  shows  that  we  would 
not  2)ay  a  Just  debt  unless  compelled  by  the  law. 

I  have  often  thought  of  you  in  relation  to  this  subject, 
with  desires  for  your  well  doing,  and  felt  as  if  it  would 
be  like  "  suffering  sin  upon  my  neighbor,"  if  I  should 
be  silent.     I  have  therefore  given  you  some  hints  of  my 


APPENDIX.  91 

mind,  which  I  desire  may  be  well  taken,  as  they  are  well 
meant.     Do  not  make  light  of  them,  and  laujrh  at  my 
concern,  as  pitying  my  weakness,      Slaveholding  is  in- 
justice, and  will  be  found  a  heavy  burden  at  last. 
From  your  friend  and  well  wisher, 

David  Ferris. 


Wilminfflon,  y«  20th  9th  mo.,  1774. 

Esteemed  Friend,  Robert  Pleasants, — I  have  often 
been  thoughtful  of  thee,  since  I  was  in  your  part  of  the 
country,  det^iring  that  thou  mayest  so  steer  thy  course 
through  time,  as  to  come  safely  to  the  haven  of  eternal 
rest  in  the  conclusion. 

There  is  one  circumstance  which  has  particularly 
engaged  me  in  concern  ft)r  thee,  and  that  is  the  condition 
of  the  poor  black  people  now  by  thee  held  in  bondage.  I 
fear  that  to  hold  them  in  a  state  of  slavery,  deprived  of 
their  natural  right,  may  be  a  means  of  depriving  thee  of 
thy  own  freedom,  and  not  only  prevent  thee  from  being 
so  serviceable  in  thy  day,  as  otherwise  thou  might  be, 
but  be  a  bar  in  the  way  of  thy  peace  here,  and  hereafter. 
I  believe  that  a  further  advance,  on  thy  part,  must  be 
made,  in  order  to  make  thee  a  free  man,  and  enable  thee 
to  sing  on  the  banks  of  deliverance.  I  apprehend  thou 
art  chargeable  with  several  omissions  which  require 
attention. 

In  the  first  place  I  conclude  thy  poor  blacks  have 
been  generally  brought  up  in  ignorance  ;  neither  taught 
to  read  or  write — nor  have  had  any  proper  instruction  in 
the  principles  of  the  Christian  religion.  Abraham  in- 
structed his  household,  and  commanded  them  after  him, 
that  they  might  keep  the  way  of  the  Lord,  to  do  justice 
and  judgment.  This  poor  people  being  brought  by  foice 
into  a  strange  land,  and  kept  in  bondage,  have  no  way 
to  get  learning,  or  to  reci;ive  instruction  frun  man, 
without  the  allowance  or  assistance  of   those  who  hold 


92  APPENDIX. 

them  as  slaves.  The  Degrees  are  rational  creatures,  and 
as  acoountable  to  their  Maker,  as  white  men  and  women 
are.  Why  then  should  they  not  have  the  same  advan- 
tages of  learning  and  instruction  that  we  have  ?  Why 
should  not  they  be  as  carefully  informed  that  there  is  a 
God,  and  that  He  is  to  be  worshipped,  feared  and 
obeyed  by  all  his  rational  family  ?  that  we  and  they  are 
all  favored  with  "  a  manifestation  of  his  holy  spirit  to 
profit  withal"?  And  why  should  they  not  be  pressed 
to  a  close  attention,  and  obedience  to  its  directions  ?  In- 
asmuch as  we  profess  to  believe  that  '*God  is  a  spirit," 
and  that  the  worship  which  is  acceptable  to  him,  must 
be  performed  "  in  Spirit  and  in  truth,"  and  may  be 
performed  in  silently  waiting  upon  him,  why  should  not 
thej/  be  so  instructed  as  well  as  our  own  children  ?  and 
why  not  (as  well  as  they)  be  constantly  taken  to  meet- 
ings while  they  are  young,  in  order  that  they  may  not 
depart  from  so  good  a  way,  when  they  are  old  ?  These 
things  are  worthy  our  serious  consideration,  and  close 
examination,  that  those  who  take  upon  them  the  charge 
of  bringing  up  numbers  of  their  fellow-men,  may  see 
how  fir  short  they  may  be  of  a  faithful  discharge  of  duty 
towards  them.  I  am  sensible  that  negro-masters  object 
to  this,  saying,  that  their  colored  children  are  not  wil- 
ling to  go  to  Friends'  meeting  !  But  consider  the  reason 
of  such  unwillingness  !  Is  it  not  because  they  have  not 
been  brought  up  in  the  way  they  ought  to  walk  in  ?  But 
whatever  their  objection  may  be,  it  ought  not  to  be  an 
excuse  for  the  omission  of  a  religious  duty. 

In  the  next  place,  some  are  unjustly  held  in  bondage 
for  the  term  of  life,  others  many  years  after  they  ought 
to  be  free  :  and  so  the  poor  are  (»ppressed,  and  labor  ex- 
torted from  them  by  force,  which  is  the  height  of  injus- 
tice !  If  negro-masters  would  weightily  consider  that 
precept  of  our  Lord,  which  is  short  and  easily  understood, 
**  W^hatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do 
ye  even  so  to  them,"  they  would  easily  discover  that 
they   would    not    be   willing,  either  that   thei/  or  their 


APPENDIX.  93 

children  should  be  brought  up  iu  total  ignorance,  kept  in 
bondage  for  life,  obliged  to  labor  all  their  da}'s  for  no- 
thing but  a  poor,  hard,  coarse  living;  with  mean  food, 
worse  clothing,  and  lodging  still  worse  !  and  after  all  to 
die  with  the  prospect  of  leaving  their  posterity  to  the 
children  of  their  oppressors  from  generation  to  generation 
forever. 

Solomon  says,  "  he  that  oppresseth  the  poor  to  increase 
his  riches,  shall  surely  come  to  want;"  suppose  he  wholly 
alluded  to  outward  want,  I  think  it  should  be  suflBcient 
to  deter  any  one  from  such  injustice  :  but  that  will  not 
be  the  only  want  which  shall  overtake  them  that  op- 
press the  poor. 

Slave-keepers  are  extortioners,  to  all  intents  and  pur- 
poses;  and  what  must  be  the  end  of  the  extortioner?  I 
would  ask,  if  it  be  possible  that  a  man  of  understanding 
could  bring  himself  to  believe,  that  it  is  not  oppression  to 
deprive  a  man  of  his  liberty,  and  force  him  to  labor  all  his 
days,  with  rigor,  for  nothing  ?  Or  are  people  at  this 
day  determined  to  disregard  the  sentence  of  the  Almighty 
against  extortioners,  which  solemnly  declares  that  "  no 
extortioner  shall  inherit  the  kingdom  of  God."  If  the 
usage  generally  extended  to  tlie  negroes,  be  not  "  ex- 
tortion/' I  know  not  where  to  look  for  anything  that 
deserves  the  name  ! 

I  cannot  suppose,  that  at  this  time  of  the  day  I  need 
use  art/uments  to  convince  thee  of  the  evil  of  slave-keep- 
ing. Ohedience  is  what  I  judge  to  be  wanting;  and  it  is 
sorrowful  to  think,  that  people  should  go  on  in  the  way 
they  know  to  be  wrong.  I  doubt  not  that  thou  hast 
seen  the  error  of  the  practice,  at  many  times;  and  if  thy 
sight  is  now  clouded  and  darkened  it  is  to  be  lamented; 
but  if  thy  eyes  are  now  open  to  see  the  subject  in  its 
true  light,  as  a  practice  alt(tgether  inconsistent  with  the 
spirit  of  Christianity,  I  beseech  thee  not  to  dally,  or  put 
it  off  any  longer.  Do  justice  without  delay.  Don't  hesi- 
tate about  the  value  of  thy  slaves,  neither  boggle  at  the 
law,  saying,  *'if  I  set  them  free  the  public  will  take  them, 


94  APPENDIX. 

and  sell  thorn  into  worse  slavery,  and  it  will  be  bard  that 
the  poor  negroes  should  suffer  by  my  act."  I  fully  be- 
lieve if  thou  could  see  the  danger  of  thy  present  state, 
and  could  hiy  aside  the  influence  of  pecuniary  mferest, 
so  as  to  be  fully  resigned,  and  willing  to  part  with  all  for 
the  Truth's  sake,  a  way  would  be  made  for  thy  escape 
and  for  the  safety  of  the  negroes  also.  If  the  Lord  re- 
quires thee  to  set  thy  slaves  free,  obey  him  promptly, 
and  leave  the  result  to  him,  and  peace  shall  be  within  thy 
borders 

I  am  aware  that  there  are  many  difficulties  in  thy  way. 
Thy  slaves  are  very  numerous.  Some  are  too  old  to  labor, 
some  in  their  prime,  and  some  too  young  to  work.  Thou 
mayest  and  probably  dost  say,  ''  What  can  I  do  with 
them  ?  how  can  I  dispose  of  them  better  than  by  keeping 
them  and  using  them  kindly  ?" 

Let  us  suppose  that  thou  hast  an  hundred  of  them  ; 
that  twenty  of  them  are  old,  and  partly  unfit  to  labor; 
thsit  forty  of  them  are  too  young  to  earn  their  living,  and 
forty  of  them  in  their  prime  for  labor.  Tbou  mayest  set 
the  old  ones  free,  and  obligate  thyself  and  thy  estate  to 
maintain  them  well,  and  use  them  kindly  the  remainder 
of  their  days.  Those  in  their  prime,  give  to  them  a  full 
discharge  from  all  future  service,  and  to  those  of  them 
who  have  served  thee  after  they  were  of  age,  pay  them 
for  thatservice  honestly,  and  thereby  put  them  into  a  way 
of  getting  their  living.  This  will  be  just,  and  is  un- 
doubtedly thy  duty.  Let  the  young  ones  be  all  manumit- 
ted; and  put  it  out  of  thy  own  power,  and  the  power  of  thy 
heirs,  to  take  them  back  into  bondage,  after  they  are 
of  age.  And  let  them  all  be  taught  to  read,  and  write, 
and  understand  arithmetic.  "  Train  them  up  in  the  way 
they  should  go,"  keep  th  m  constantly  to  religious  meet- 
ings, on  the  first  and  other  d;iys  of  the  week,  even  as  thou 
wouldst  have  thy  own  children  dealt  with;  then,  when 
they  arrive  at  maturity,  they  will  be  prepared  for  free- 
dom ;  and  when  all  this  is  done,  or  rightly  in  the  way  to 
be  accomplished,  thou  wiU  be  a  free  man. 


APPENDIX.  95 

As  for  thy  past  errors  and  deficiencies  in  holding 
them  as  slaves,  and  bringing  them  up  in  ignorance, 
before  thy  own  mind  was  so  fully  enlightened  on  these 
suiijects,  perhaps  that  may  be  pa>sed  by  ;  for  God  may 
wink  at  errors  committed  in  the  days  of  our  ignorance. 
But  without  a  submission  on  thy  part  to  a  course  of 
action  such,  or  nearly  such,  as  I  have  mentioned,  I  cannot 
believe  thy  state  a  safe  one.  Even  if  it  should  require 
all  thy  estate  to  relieve  thee  from  slaveholding,  and 
thereby  thou  could.st  obtain  lasting  peace,  I  think  it  would 
be  a  happy  exchange.  The  great  object  of  my  writing  to 
thee  at  this  time  is  that  pi  ace  may  be  thy  portion  forever. 
In  thy  case  it  is  my  solid  judgment  that  slave-keeping  is 
a  sin ;  and  Christ  said,  if  men  die  in  their  sins  where  he 
is  gone  they  cannot  come. 

Tliou  may  think  it  strange  that  I  carry  my  judgment 
80  far  as  to  think  there  is  no  hope  for  the  slaveholder 
that  he  niay  obtain  peace  !  But  if  Justice  is  equally  dae 
to  the  black  man  and  the  white  one,  I  cannot  see  room 
to  hope  for  those  who  daily  live  in  the  violation  of  every 
rule  of  justice  toward  the  colored  man  ;  for  this  is  daily 
to  rob  them  of  their  rights,  of  their  property,  and  of  their 
liberty  also.  If  they  were  to  treat  thee  or  me  so,  we 
should  find  no  diffiL-ulty  in  pronouncing  judgment  against 
them,  as  wicked  and  unjust  men. 

The  prophet,  in  the  name  of  the  Lord,  said,  ''"Wo  unto 
him  that  buildeth  his  house  by  unrighteousness,  and  his 
chambers  by  wrong ;  that  useth  his  neighbor's  service 
without  wages,  and  giveth  him  not  for  his  work."  And 
in  what  does  not  slavery  come  up  to  this  case  ?  Does  it 
not  even  exceed  it  ?  for  the  people  to  whom  the  prophet 
spake,  did  not  hold  their  neighbors  in  perpetual  slavery! 
but  only  cheated  them  out  of  some  of  their  labor  ! 

I  am  concerned  for  thee,  however  well  thou  may  est 
think  of  thyself,  and  of  thy  present  situation.  I  think  it 
nece-savy  for  thee  to  look  about  thee,  to  leave  nothing  un- 
done, that  can  be  done,  fur  the  deliverance  of  the  poor 
from  bonds  and  oppression,  and  thyself  from  danger  of 


96  APPENDIX. 

losing  thy  peace.  I  would  advise  thee  to  walk  softly  the 
remainder  of  thy  days,  be  they  many  or  few.  Humble 
thyself  before  the  Lord,  while  the  door  of  mercy  is  open, 
as  I  hope  it  yet  is.  Do  what  thou  canst  to  set  a  good 
example  to  thy  children  and  neighbors,  in  relation  to  the 
emancipation  of  thy  slaves  ;  for  thy  day  is  hastening  over, 
and  it  would  be  a  dreadful  thing  to  die  and  leave  all  thy 
colored  people  in  slavery  to  thy  posterity.  It  would  be 
better  to  leave  thy  children  beggars  I  Remember  Zac- 
cheus;  he  was  made  willing  to  restore  four-fold  to  any  he 
might  have  wronged,  beside  giving  half  his  goods  to  the 
poor  ;  and  Jesus  said  to  him,  "  this  day  has  salvation 
come  to  thy  house."  I  hardly  know  how  to  stop,  but  time 
fails  me.  1  would  desire  thee  not  to  think  lightly  of  the 
hints  I  have  given  thee,  for  I  believe  they  are  important 
to  the  welfare  of  thee  and  thy  family. 
From  thy  friend 

David  Ferkis. 


The  following  letter  from  Robert  Pleasants  was  writ- 
ten nearly  three  years  after  the  foregoing  was  written  to 
him  by  David  Ferris,  and  furnishes  cause  to  believe  that 
the  seed  sown  by  the  latter,  under  deep  concern  for  his 
friend,  was  not  unfruitful. 

Virginia,  Curles,  9th  mo.  11,  1777. 
Esteemed  friend,  Samuel  R  Fisher, — A  favorable 
opportunity  offering  by  our  friends  John  Crew  a  d 
Gerard  Eilyson,  who  propose  to  attend  your  Yearly 
Meeting,  I  sit  down  in  consequence  of  thy  request  and 
in  compliance  with  my  promise,  to  advise  thee  how  far 
I  have  proceeded  in  the  business  of  manumitting  the 
slaves  under  my  care;  and  can  with  a  degree  of  satis- 
faction say  that  I  have  so  far  completed  it  as  that  I  be- 
lieve there  is  not  more  than  five  or  six  remaining,  who, 


APPENDIX.  97 

being  children,  and  living  at  a  distance,  I  neither  knew 
their  ages  nor  the  names  of  some  of  them  till  within  a 
few  days.  I  intend  shortly  to  finish  that  business,  and 
trust  to  consequences,  believing  that  He  who  hath  called 
to  the  work  will  prosper  it,  notwithstanding  the  oppo- 
sition which  some  violent  spirits  have  made  and  seem 
still  disposed  to  make.  I  may  further  inform  thee 
that  divers  Friends  of  late  have  given  up,  and  others 
seem  freely  disposed  to  give  up,  their  negroes,  so  that 
should  our  Assembly  (which  by  adjournment  meets,  I 
think,  the  10th  of  next  month)  repeal  the  unrighteous 
law  against  their  freedom,  as  some  expect,  I  hope  Friends 
in  a  general  way  will  not  only  be  relieved  from  the  bur- 
then, but  have  the  satisfaction  to  see  many  others  of  them 
act  as  useful  members  of  society  in  a  state  of  freedom. 
Thy  assured  friend, 

Robert  Pleasants, 


Wilmington  y*  12tli  of  1st  mo.,  1768. 
My  dear  young  friend,  Ann   Taylor  : — 

During  the  short  period  of  our  acquaintance  I  have 
felt  for  thee  that  love  and  good-will  which  desires  thy 
well  being  here  and  hereafter.  I  wish  to  encourage  thee 
to  set  out  betimes  on  that  long  journey  which  requires 
the  whole  term  of  life  to  perform,  to  the  greatest  advan- 
tage. The  sooner  the  work  is  begun  the  better  for 
thee,  because,  in  early  life,  there  are  not  so  many 
hindcrances,  arising  from  wrong  habits,  and  an  alienation 
of  mind  from  divine  good.  The  heavenly  hand  has  been 
extended  iu  love,  to  gather  thee  from  all  empty  enjoy- 
ments into  the  fold  of  peace.  "  Now  is  the  accepted 
time,"  while  thou  art  called  and  invited,  and  drawn  by 
the  cords  of  Divine  love  :  that  love  which  is  the  mark 
of  discipleship  in  the  church  of  Christ.  I  believe  thou 
hast  felt  it.  The  Truth  has  appeared  beautiful  in  thy 
9 


08  APPENDIX. 

siglit^  and  those  who  are  travelling  in  the  way  of 
peace,  have  been  objects  of  thy  near  affection.  I  much 
desire  that  thou  mayest  be  made  a  partaker  with  them  in 
the  joys  that  abide  forever.  These  are  they  that  receive 
^'  an  hundred  fold  "  of  enjoyment  in  this  life,  and  in 
that  which  is  to  come  life  everlasting. 

When  my  attention  has  been  turned  toward  thee,  of 
latter  time,  my  mind  has  been  invested  with  concern, 
and  a  strong  desire  for  thy  preservation  in  the  right  way; 
and  particularly  in  relation  to  thy  marriage.  A  married 
state  is  the  most  desirable,  and  most  comfortable  of  all 
states,  provided  we  enter  it,  as  the  apostle  says,  ''  Oiily 
in  the  Lord:"  that  is,  as  1  understand  him,  under  (7mwe 
direction,  to  the  right  person,  at  the  right  time,  and  in 
the  right  way.  But  of  that  person,  time,  and  way,  un- 
instructed  by  divine  wisdom,  we  are  by  no  means  com- 
petent to  judge.  Without  such  direction  we  must  proceed 
in  the  dark,  and  shall  be  mure  likely  to  miss  the  right 
object,  than  to  attain  it.  Those  who  miss  it,  mostly  make 
unto  themselves  a  rough  uneasy  path  to  walk  in,  and 
always  an  unsafe  one.  When  men  and  women  are  not 
rightly  joined,  and  losses,  crosses  and  disappointments 
occur,  there  will  be  a  disposition  to  blame  each  other, — 
sometimes  to  wish  they  had  never  seen  one  another — 
and,  in  times  of  great  trial,  even  to  express  that  wish. 
I  have  knoirn  such  thinf/s;  and  where  the  union  has  no 
deeper  foundation  than  mere  natural  affection,  better 
cannot  be  reasonably  expected.  Those  who  marry  from 
motives  of  convenience,  or  with  selfish  views,  frequently 
pass  along  through  life  in  discord  and  uneasiness,  and 
often  lay  a  foundation  for  more  lasting  uuhappiness. 
The  uneasiness  of  their  state  makes  them  frettui,  and 
being  without  any  sure  anchor  to  the  mind,  they  are  tossed 
about  hither  and  thither;  rather  prepared  to  hinder  than 
help  one  another  in  their  religious  progress.  Ihis  state 
it  is  fearful  to  contemplate,  and  the  earnest  prayer  of  my 
soul  has  been^  that  thou  mayest  escape  the  danger  of  a 


APPENDIX.  99 

connection  with  an  unsuitable  companion,  in  bonds  wbich 
death  only  can  dissolve. 

On  the  other  hand,  if  the  great  end  of  our  creation 
becomes  the  prinuirj  object  of  concern, — if  we  "  seek 
first  the  kino'dom  of  God  and  his  righteousness,"  and 
obtain  it — if  we  keep  near  our  divine  Director,  and  proceed 
in  the  holy  fear,  we  shall  have  no  cause  to  dread  the 
event,  either  in  reference  to  the  temper  and  disposition 
of  our  allotted  companion,  or  to  the  means  of  a  comfort- 
able subsistence.  They  who  are  thus  happily  united, 
will  go  along  the  road  of  life,  rejoicing  in  that  they  are 
joined  together  in  the  will  of  heaven  ;  and  when  losses, 
and  disappointments,  and  afflictions  overtake  them,  they 
will  sympathize  with  each  other,  and  freely  help  to  bear 
one  another's  burdens.  Oh,  how  blessed  are  they  who 
are  thus  joined, — how  happy  for  themselves  and  their 
posterity.  How  instructive  to  their  children  to  see  their 
parents'  constant  care  to  promote  each  other's  happiness, 
— to  see  them  concerned,  by  circumspect  walking,  to  set 
in  all  things  a  good  example  to  their  family,  and  those 
who  dwell  round  about  them.  To  these  the  promise  is 
fulfilled  appertaining  to  those  who  first  seek  the  heavenly 
riches,  that  all  necessaru  things  shall  be  superadded. 

Dear  Ann,  although  thou  mayest  resist  the  heavenly 
call,  and  fail  to  obtain  the  blessing  intended,  yet  I  hope 
better  things  of  thee,  and  things  that  accompany  salva- 
tion. Life  and  death  are  set  before  thee.  Life  is 
offered, — therefore,  I  beseech  thee,  choose  life  and  live. 
In  order  to  obtain  it,  and  to  grow  in  it,  we  must  be  sober, 
humble,  self-denying,  and  abide  under  the  cross  of  Christ. 
We  must  not  live  at  ease,  or  in  an  unconcerned  state. 
We  must  not  love  the  world,  nor  take  delight  in  earthly 
things.  It  is  now  a  time  of  divine  visitation, — a  day  of 
love  to  thy  soul,  in  which  thou  mayest  be  gathered  into 
the  heavenly  fold.  It  would  be  cause  of  great  joy  to  me 
to  see  and  hear  of  thy  obedience  to  the  cross  of  Christ, 
— to  know  that  thou  art  concerned  to  come  forward  in 
the  discharge  of  every  Christian  duty.    On  the  contrary, 


100  APPENDIX. 

it  would  be  exceedingly  sorrowful  to  see  or  hear  of  thy 
falling  away  from  the  Truth.  Now  is  the  time, — a  time 
of  love,  and  undoubtedly  thy  best  time.  Do  not  let  it 
pass  away  unimproved.  Let  not  the  world,  nor  the 
things  of  the  world  divert  thy  attention  from  seeking 
after  "the  one  thing  needful,"  "that  good  part 
which  shall  not  be  taken  away :"  for  what  prijfit  would 
it  be,  to  gain  all  the  wealth,  the  pleasures,  and  honors  of 
the  world  ;  and  thereby  lose  thy  own  soul.  Oh,  dread- 
ful loss  !  I  tremble  at  the  thought  of  it.  I  have  much 
love  in  my  heart,  and  good-will  towards  thee;  I  therefore 
press  these  things  upon  thy  attention. 

Present  my  kind  love  to  thy  dear  mother,  and  to  John 
Carter's  family. 

From  thy  assured  friend, 

David  Ferris. 


Wilmington,  y«   1st  of  9th  mo.  1772. 
Dear  Friend  Catharine  Halloch,  at  Newhurg : — 

Thine,  dated  the  3d  of  8th  mo.  1772,  is  just  now  re- 
ceived. I  take  it  very  kind  of  thee  that  thou  hast  re- 
membered us  in  this  way,  and  gladly  accept  the  favor. 
The  reading  of  tby  letter  recalled  to  memory,  in  a  very 
lively  manner,  the  near  unity  and  fellowship  felt  and  en- 
joyed with  thee  and  thy  father's  family,  when  with  you 
at  Newburg.  And  I  believe  if  you  live  near  the  Truth 
with  which  you  have  been  favored,  you  will  be  made  a 
blessing  to  your  neighborhood,  and  be  iostrumental  in 
spreading  tlie  divine  light  to  and  among  the  poor  be- 
nighted inhabitants  of  your  vicinity. 

When  with  you,  dear  Catharine,  I  thought  I  felt  the 
divine  goodness,  and  heavenly  regard,  extended  towards 
thee  in  a  particular  manner,  in  order  for  thy  help,  hoping 
thou  mayest  be  preserved  near  the  spring  of  life,  so  as  to 
become  an  instrument  of  good  to  others.     The  Lord  has 


APPENDIX.  101 

been  good  to  thee.  He  has  blessings  in  store  for  those 
■who  keep  near  him  and  turn  away  from  other  lovers.  My 
dear  friend,  ''keep  thy  heart  with  all  diligence,  for  out 
of  it  are  the  issues  of  life."  The  heavenly  fountain  is 
open  for  thee  to  bathe  in.  Do  not  forget  the  goodness  of 
God,  vrhich  was  eminently  extended  to  all  of  us,  and  par- 
ticularly to  thyself,  at  the  last  sitting  we  had  in  your  fa- 
mily. It  was  a  time  of  extraordinary  favor.  The  Lord 
was  very  kind  and  gracious  to  you;  and  will  ever  be  so, 
if  you  mind  the  light  which  has  shone  upon  you,  and 
continue  to  walk  in  it.  Beware  of  forgetfulness.  Do 
not  forget  the  Lord,  but  often  think  upon  his  name.  I 
believe  that  many,  by  living  at  ease,  and  neglecting  to 
watch  against  temptation  ;  lose  sight  of  the  heavenly 
riches;  and  not  a  few,  by  letting  their  minds  run  after 
earthly  things,  are  finally  lost. 

My  dear  friend,  it  is  a  great  favor  to  feel  the  love  of 
God  uniting  us  together.  If  we  dwell  in  it  we  must  ne- 
cessarily love  one  another,  whether  present  or  absent,  to- 
gether or  separate.  All  the  faithful  are  children  of  one 
Father,  and  his  uniting  love  and  virtue  flows  from  one  of 
them  to  another,  by  the  feeling  of  which  we  know  that 
we  have  passed  from  death  unto  life.  By  this  "love  of 
the  brethren,"  all  men  may  know  that  we  are  disciples  of 
Christ.  Let  us  cherish  it,  and  live  in  it.  There  is  noth- 
ing; so  excellent,  so  beautiful,  so  engaiiinfri  as  this  hea- 
veuly  uniting  love.  I  thought  many  times,  when  lately 
travelling  among  you,  that  the  near  affection  and  unity  I 
felt  for,  and  with  some  of  my  dear  brethren  and  sisters, 
were  an  ample  compensation  for  all  the  trouble  and  fa- 
tigue I  endured.  I  long  for  the  salvation  of  all  njy  fel- 
low men,  and  that  they  may  come  to  knowexperimentallj 
what  this  love  and  unity  is,  by  their  effects.  The  worla, 
or  those  who  are  at  friendship  with  the  world,  know  noth- 
ing of  it, — neither  can  they  know  it,  until  they  come  out 
of  the  world.  All  the  living  members  of  the  Church  of 
Christ  experience  something  of  it,  and  the  nearer  we  live 
to  the  Truth  the  more  we  shall  know  of  it.  Therefore 
9* 


102  APPENDIX. 

let  us  so  live  that  we  may  be  as  Epistles  written  in  one 
aoottier's  hearts. 

I  have  often  thought  of  thee  and  the  other  members 
of  your  family  since  1  saw  you,  and  should  rejoice  to  see 
you  again.  As  that  may  never  be  in  this  state  of  being, 
I  pray  that  we  may  all  >so  walk,  and  so  live  in  the  Lord's 
fear,  that  we  may  meet  hereafter  in  peace;  for  that  is  the 
ultimate  object  of  our  creation,  as  well  as  of  all  the  bless- 
ings conferred  upon  us,  in  our  passage  through  time. 

I  was  much  pleased  on  receiving  a  letter  from  thee,  and 
shall  be  glad  to  receive  a  few  lines  from  thee  or  any  of 
the  family,  letting  me  know  of  your  health,  and  the  state 
of  affairs  among  you,  and  the  few  Friends,  situated  near 
the  residence  of  thy  sister  Sands. 

My  dear  friend,  my  heart  flows  with  love  and  good  will 
towards  thee,  with  earnest  desire  for  thy  help  and  preser- 
vation. My  dear  love  is  to  thy  father  and  mother,  bro- 
thers and  sisters. 

From  thy  well  wishing  friend, 

David  Ferris. 

N.  B.  Samuel  Neale  is  lately  gone  to  Ireland,  and  he 
desired  me,  when  I  wrote  to  any  of  our  friends,  to  give 
his  kind  love  to  them. 

D.  F. 


Extract  of  a  letter  to  David  Ferris,  Jr. 
Wilmington,  y«   10th  of  8th  mo.  1773. 
Dear  Cousin,  David  Ferris  : — 

My  mind  was  impressed  some  days  past,  with  concern 
for  thee  as  a  near  kinsman  ;  remembering  that  as  our 
works  shall  be  here,  so  must  be  our  reward  hereafter  and 
forever.  I  apprehend  that  thou  hast  not  been  earnestly 
concerned  to  be  prepared  for  thy  latter  end,  but  hast  been 
diverting  thyself  with  the   pleasant   things  of  this  life, 


APPENDIX.  108 

delighting  in  airy  unprofitable  company.  Now,  in  the 
common  course  of  things,  thy  days  are  half  spent,  and 
perhaps  much  more  thau  half  spent,  and  if  thou  should 
be  shortly  called  upon  to  give  up  thy  stewardship,  and 
not  be  ready  for  it,  how  fearful  would  be  thy  situation  ! 
We  all  have  a  great  work  to  do,  and  the  whole  of  our 
lives  will  not  be  more  than  sufficient  for  its  accomplish- 
ment. If  half  thy  life,  or  more  than  half  of  it,  be  al- 
ready spent,  and  little  or  none  of  that  work  done,  it  is 
high  time  now  to  begin  it  in  earnest.  Oh,  spend  no  more 
of  thy  precious  time  in  wantonness  and  forgetfulness  of 
God.  Remember,  that  in  order  to  be  saved  we  must  all 
be  turned  from  darkness  to  light, — must  pass  from  death 
unto  life, —  must  be  born  again  and  become  new  crea- 
tures. We  must  cease  to  do  evil,  otherwise  we  cannot 
learn  to  do  well,  consequently  cannot  be  happy.  '^  Without 
holiness,"  said  the  apostle,  "no  man  shall  see  the  Lord.'' 
We  must,  therefore,  become  holy  in  all  manner  of  conver- 
sation. Those  who  are  living  in  pleasure,  gratifying  their 
sensual  appetites,  are  dead  while  they  live.  They  who 
are  delighting  themselves  in  vanity,  pleasing  themselves 
with  all  the  gaieties  of  life,  are  not  walking  iu  the  nar* 
row  way,  which  only  "  leads  to  life  "  and  peace  :  The 
other  way,  which  is  broad  and  easy  to  the  flesh,  our  Lord 
declares  "  leadeth  to  destruction."  Death  and  darkness 
will  be  the  end  and  certain  consequence  of  continuing  in 
that  way.  Considering  the  uncertainty  of  life,  it  is  a 
concern  of  vast  importance  to  know  that  our  day's  work 
is  going  on  with  the  day,  for  the  night  cometh,  and  is 
rapidly  aproaching  to  us  all,  when  no  man  can  work. 

I  have  a  strong  desire,  that  thou,  my  dear  cousin,  and 
all  my  relations  in  your  part  of  the  country,  may  be  ef- 
fectually roused  to  a  solid  consideration  of  this  momen- 
tous subject.  *'  One  thing  is  needful :"  and  I  greatly  de- 
sire that  thou  mayest  choost;  that  good  part  which  cau 
never  be  taken  from  thee.  The  apostle,  iu  a  solemn  man- 
ner, declares,  ''  If  ye  live  after  the  flesh  ye  sh-iU  die,  but 
if  ye,  through  the  spirit,  do   mortify  the  deeds  of  the 


104  APPENDIX. 

body,  ye  shall  live;"  and  Christ  says,  '^ whosoever  doth 
not  bear  his  cross,  and  come  after  me  cannot  be  my  disci- 
ple." These  are  the  unalterable  terms  of  salvation — the 
only  way  to  peace  here,  and  everlasting  felicity  in  the 
life  which  is  to  come. 

Now  I  desire  thee  and  all  my  relations  to  consider  these 
things  in  a  solid,  weighty  manner.  Do  not  make  a  light 
matter  of  that  which  is  of  everlasting  importance^  but 
examine  the  subject  closely, — ponder  it  solemnly.  See 
whether  you  are  denying  yourselves, — and  taking  up  your 
cross  daily;  without  which  you  cannot  lay  hold  of  the 
everlusting  crown. 

My  kind  love  and  hearty  good  wishes  are  to  and  for  you 
all,  desiring  you  may  live  and  die  in  peace.  From  thy 
uncle, 

David  Ferris. 


Wilmington,  y^   20th  of  3d  mo.  1777. 
Resipected  Friend,  Moses  Brown  : — 

After  kind  love  presented  to  thee,  thy  mother,  and  sis- 
ter Mary,  with  all  thy  family,  this  may  inform  that  John 
Perry  and  I  have  received  our  Certificate,  which  we  un- 
derstand came  through  thy  hands  to  William  Wilson. 
William  writes  to  me  that  the  people  on  Rhode  Island 
are  under  difficulties  owing  to  the  quartering  of  soldiers 
upon  them.  There  have  been  no  very  heavy  burdens 
laid  on  us  here,  in  that  way ;  but  we  have  had  a  great 
many  sick  soldiers  among  us,  and  hundreds  of  them  have 
died  of  the  camp  fever.  Several  of  the  inhabitants  have 
taken  it  from  them,  and  have  also  died. 

When  opportunity  offers  I  should  be  glad  to  hear  what 
has  become  of  poor  T.  D. — whether  he  has  come  down 
from  his  lofty  seat  and  high  imaginations,  so  as  to  submit 
to  the  advice  of  his  best  friends.  Having  myself  been 
favored  with  a  heavenly  visitation,  and  called  out  of  the 


APPENDIX.  105 

forms  and  outside  shows  of  religion,  into  an  acquaint- 
ance, in  some  measure,  with  the  divine  substance,  I  am 
often  thoughtful  about  and  concerned  for  others,  who 
have  heard  and  obeyed  the  call.  And  I  think  I  may  just 
say  I  have  felt  and  do  feel  some  desires  for  the  prosperity 
of  Truth  in  your  part  of  the  country,  and  especially  for 
the  preservation  of  such  as  have  been  convinced  of  the 
Truth,  and  obeyed  the  heavenly  call,  so  as  to  turn  their 
backs  upon  the  fading  pleasures  of  this  world  :  such  as 
have  denied  themselves,  and  have  taken  up  the  cross,  so 
as  to  have  come  away  from  the  barren  mountains  of  an 
empty  profession,  and  become  fools  for  Christ's  sake.  I 
greatly  desire  you  may  all  steadily  persevere  in  the  way 
that  will  end  in  peace.  I  have  found  by  experience  that 
being  convinced  of  the  principle  of  Truth,  and  forsaking 
the  vanities  of  the  world,  and  seeing  the  emptiness  of  all 
external  forms  of  religion,  and  turning  from  them,  and 
joining  with  those  who  worship  God  in  spirit  and  in 
truth  (as  to  the  outward  fellowship)  is  not  sufficient  for 
salvation,  without  coming  into  Christ  'Uhe  true  vine," 
and  truly  abiding  in  him,  so  as  to  receive  nourishment 
from  him,  and  life  daily  springing  up  through  him.  I 
cannot  therefore  well  do  less  than  press  all  Friends  who 
have  been  lately  convinced  of  the  blessed  Truth,  to 
dwell  low,  under  a  daily  concern  and  care  to  shun  the 
friendships  of  the  world, — to  take  heed  to  themselves, — 
to  look  to  their  standing, — to  their  living,  and  walking, 
as  becomes  an  enlightened  people,  who  have  been  visited 
by  the  Dayspring  from  on  high,  to  give  light  to  them 
that  sit  in  darkness,  and  in  the  shadow  of  death  ; — re- 
membering that  they  are  no  longer  safe  than  during  their 
continuance  in  a  low  state, — in  a  life  of  self  denial  under 
the  Cross  of  Christ. 

The  apostle  tells  us  that,  it  had  been  better  for  us  not 
to  have  known  the  way  of  Righteousness,  than  after  we 
have  known  it  to  turn  from  the  holy  commandment. 

I  thought  it  could  not  be  amiss  to  give  a  caution  oa 
this  wise,  though   I  hope  better  things  of  many  of  you, 


106  APPENDIX. 

who  have  been  blessed  with  a  visitation  of  light  and  life, 
than  that  you  should  turn  back  and  forsake  the  way  of 
Truth  : — but  some  have  done  so,  and  others  may  do  so  ; 
and  as  it  is  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  us,  that  we  con- 
tinue steadfast  to  the  end,  love  moves  me  thus  to  write. 
Let  us  take  the  apostle's  advice  to  the  Galatians,  ''  Stand 
fast,  therefore,  in  the  liberty  wherewith  Christ  has  made 
us  free,  and  be  not  entangled  again  with  the  yoke  of  bon- 
dage." We  have  many  enemies  that  oppose  our  progress 
heavenward.  There  is  no  safety  unless  we  keep  upon  the 
watch  tower,  and  dwell  near  the  fountain  of  life.  If  that 
be  our  constant  care,  we  shall  become  as  lights  to  the 
world;  as  the  salt  of  the  earth,  as  a  city  set  upon  a 
hill  which  cannot  be  hid.  We  shall  be  as  way-marks  to 
others,— as  good  examples  to  the  flock, — all  which  is  re- 
quired of  those  whose  eyes  have  been  opened  to  see  the 
beauty  there  is  in  the  Truth.  If  you  who  have  received 
the  anointing,  are  faithful  to  the  manifestations  of  di- 
vine Grace,  you  will  be  made  instrumental  in  spreading 
its  holy  influence  among  the  people.  The  heavenly  re- 
gard is  toward  the  people  of  Providence  and  parts  adja- 
cent. It  is  a  day  of  visitation  to  the  several  professions, 
and  I  believe  more  will  be  manifest,  if  those  who  are  en- 
lightened walk  worthy  of  their  vocation,  and  dwell  in  a 
grateful  sense  of  the  blessings  received. 
From  thy  well-wishing  friend, 

David  Ferris. 


938.96 


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